THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

Ex  Libris 

Katharine  F.  Richmond 

and 
Henry  C.  Fall 


, 


A 


• 


MEMOIR 


BY  E.  C.  COGSWELL. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED  BY  CROCKER  &  BREWSTER, 

47  Washington  Street. 

1842. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1842, 

BY    E.    C.    COGSWELL, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  N.  H. 


Printed  by  A.  Prescott,  ) 
Gilmanton,  N.  H.     ) 


F 


TO 

CHRISTIAN    PASTORS 

THI3    MEMOIR 

Of   AN    EMINENTLY   DEVOUT   AND    FAITHFUL    SERVANT 
OF    COD,  IS   RESPECTFULLY   AND    AFFEC- 
TIONATELY    DEDICATED 

BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


The  following  memoir  has  been  written 
in  great  haste  and  amidst  other  pressing  and 
unremitting  labors.  It  is  now  presented  to 
the  public  with  a  consciousness  of  its  many 
imperfections.  The  Author  begs  the  read- 
er not  to  peruse  the  following  pages  with  the 
eye  of  a  censorious  critic,  but  with  charity  ; 
bearing  in  mind  the  obstacles  which  rendered 
the  undertaking  quite  forbidding. 

The  reader  should  remember  that  Mr. 
Hidden  kept  no  diary  from  which  we  might 
extract,  and  by  which  we  might  have  ac- 
cess to  his  thoughts  and  the  emotions  which 
animated  his  bosom  during  his  hours  of  re^ 


VI  PREFACE. 

tirement.  The  few  scraps  which  have  been 
found  are  deeply  interesting,  and  must  serve 
as  a  key  to  his  whole  character  ;  yet  a 
knowledge  of  the  feelings  of  his  soul  during 
the  successive  days  of  his  long  and  eventful 
life,  would  now  be  highly  gratifying.  But 
incessantly  engaged  in  active  labors,  he  was 
compelled  to  spealc,  rather  than  write,  the 
sentiments  of  his  heart. 

His  correspondence  also  was  limited,  his 
letters  generally  being  of  a  confidential 
character,  so  that  few  have  been  inserted 
entire  and  but  few  extracts  made. 

The  brief  extracts  which  are  given  from 
his  sermons,  though  highly  interesting,  must 
fail  to  do  him  justice.  They  need  the  spar- 
kle of  his  eye,  his  gushing  tears  and  melt- 
ings of  soul. 

The  likeness  prefixed  to  the  volume  has 
been  procured  at  great  expense,  the  minia- 


PREFACE.  VU 

ture  being  first  painted  from  a  profile  view 
and  verbal  representations.  The  task  was 
difficult,  but  the  result  happy,  though  the 
picture  is  not  in  all  respects  perfect.  The 
execution,  however,  both  of  the  painting 
and  engraving,  is  fine  and  in  most  respects 
strikingly  conforms  to  the  original. 

o    J  o 

If  the  perusal  of  the  following  pages  shall 
afford  the  reader  as  much  pleasure  as  the 
writer  has  experienced  in  composing  them, 
his  object  will  be  obtained.  The  work  was 
not  undertaken  with  the  expectation  of  reap- 
ing pecuniary  reward  or  literary  applause, 
the  Author  being  conscious  that  the  state  of 
moneyed  affairs  would  not  warrant  the  for- 
mer, nor  his  abilities  the  latter. 

This  memoir  is  a  grateful  and  affectionate 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  universally  be- 
loved, faithful  and  humble  servant  of  Christ, 
whose  "  name  is  still  like  a  sweet  savor 


V1J1  PREFACE. 

among  the  people  of  God."  It  is  now  com- 
mended to  the  candor  of  the  virtuous  with 
the  devout  hope,  that  it  may  conduce  to 
their  spiritual  benefit  and  with  humble  pray- 
er to  Almighty  God,  that  He  would  smile 
on  the  feeble  effort  of  the  Author  and  cause 
it  to  advance  the  glory  of  his  great  Name. 
Gilmanton,  May,  1842. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth — Parentage — Early  tliirst  for  knowledge — 
Bound  as  an  apprentice — Youthful  ardor — Leaves  his 
master — Enlists  in  the  Army — Returns  home — Enlists 
again — Still  water — White  Plains — Measles — Enlists 
again — War-song — Enlists  as  a  Privateer,  -  17 

CHAPTER    II. 

Goes  to  Gilmantori — Teaches  school — Rev.  Mr. 
Smith — Visits  Dartmouth  College — Prepares  for  Col- 
lege— Religious  impressions — Conversion — Humility 
— Industry — Testimony  of  President  Wheelock — Pe- 
cuniary anxiety — Elasticity  of  mind — Reliance  on  God 
— Christian  boldness — Donations — Graduates  3!) 

C  II  A  P  T  K  K     III. 

Tarn  worth — Charier- — First  Family — Second — 
White  inhabitants — Their  hardships — Scarcity  of 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

bread — Wild  animals — Sickness — Enterprise — Inter- 
est in  Religion — Petition — Participation  in  the  War 
— Interest  in  Education 64 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Mr.  Hidden  returns  to  Gilmantcn — Studies  Theolo- 
gy— State  of  his  mind — Doctrine  of  Free  Grace — Ex- 
tract of  Mr.  Smith's  letter — Licensed — Call — Arrives 
atTamworth — First  Sabbath — Simplicity  of  the  peo- 
ple— Proposals  for  settlement — Accepts — Greatly 
beloved  -  ---  ....  .....77 

CHAPTER    V. 

The   day  of  his    ordination — Great    Rock — The 

Council — Church     formed — Controversy Proceed 

to  the  ordination — Extracts  from  letters — First  church 
meeting — The  Sacrament — His  marriage — Inter- 
course with  his  people — Meeting-house Prayer- 
meeting — Revival 96 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Revival — Extract  of  a  letter — Change  in  his  salary 
— Missionary  tour — Revivals— Spotted  fever — Cold 
seasons — His  interest  in  the  sufferers  -  -  -  121 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Revivals — Protracted  meetings — His  influence — Os- 
sipee — Sandwich    --     ........    143 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

Hia  interest  in  education — Knowledge  of  the  clas- 
sics— His  interest  in  the  young — His  patriotism — 
Benevolence — Familiarity  with  others — Cheerful- 
ness   174 

CHAPTER   IX. 

Ilia  labors— Devotions — Writings — As  a  Speak- 
er   211 

CHAPTER    X. 

His  family — Letters — Strong  faith — Interest  in 
the  cause  of  temperance — His  social  character — Let- 
ters   240 

CHAPTER   XI. 

Retrospect — Hia  illness — Triumphant  death     283 
Appendix 326 


MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth — Parentage — Early  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge— Bound  as  an  apprentice — Youth- 
ful ardour — Leaves  his  master — Enlists 
in  the  Army — Returns  home — Enlists 
again  —  Stittivater  —  White,  Plains  — 
Measles — Enlists  again —  Wdr  song — 
Enlists  as  a  Privateer. 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN,  the  subject  of  the  fol- 
lowing sketch,  was  born  at  Rowley,  Essex 
County,  Massachusetts,  on  the  22d  day  of 
February,  1760. 

He  was  the  son  of  Price  and  Eunice  Hid- 
den, formerly  Eunice  Hodgskin,  whose  child- 
ren were  Samuel,  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
Mehitable,  married  to  Mr.  James  Burnham 
of  Manchester,  Ms.,  Eunice,  married  to  Mr, 


18  MEMOIR    OF 

William  Clark,  formerly  of  Beverly,  Mass., 
afterwards  removed  to  Tamworth  ;  Mrs. 
Clark  is  still  living  in  Bangor,  Me.;  Martha, 
married  to  Mr.  Joseph  Kilborne  of  Rowley, 
Ms., William  Price,  now  living  in  Tamworth, 
Betsey  and  Jonathan,  who  died  young,  and 
Ephraim,  who  lived  in  Tamworth,  and  was 
drowned  in  Bearcamp  river,  1824. 

His  father  was  by  trade  a  Combmaker, 
.and  in  indigent  circumstances.  His  mother 
was  a  pious  woman  and  early  taught  him 
the  Assembly's  Catechism  and  various  parts 
of  the  Scriptures,  the  historical  portions  of 
which  he  read,  when  even  a  child,  with  great 
interest.  He  early  discovered  a  strong  de- 
sire for  learning  and  improved  every  oppor- 
tunity for  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  those 
branches  of  English  education  then  taught 
in  common  schools. 

At  the  age  of  nine  years,  he  was  bound 
to  an  Inn  keeper,  who  was  also  a  shoemaker 
by  trade,  as  an  apprentice.  He  was  found 
very  adroit  in  dealing  out  liquors  and  in  at- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  19 

tending  to  his  master's  interest.  His  master 
was  an  austere,  avaricious  man,  and  afforded 
him  but  few  opportunities  for  mental  im- 
provement, and  often  required  of  him  the 
labor  of  a  man. 

Samuel  was  of  a  sanguine  temperament 
and  lively  imagination.  He  early  laid  plans 
for  future  greatness,  and  gave  intimations  to 
his  master  that  he  was  not  always  to  be  un- 
der Ms  control. 

The  country  was  new  and  far-reaching  in 
every  direction.  The  spirit  of  enterprise 
was  widely  diffused.  Adventure  was  abroad, 
and  he  who  would,  might  make  a  fortune. 
Besides,  his  chivalrous  soul  was  animated 
with  tales  of  valor.  The  ocean  was  infest- 
ed with  pirates  and  the  Indians  made  depre- 
dations upon  the  frontiers.  The  marines 
were  victorious  and  the  militia  were  success- 
ful. His  mind  was  ardent,  bold.  He  long- 
ed for  freedom.  The  confinement  of  the 
shop  and  bar  ill  suited  his  active  tempera- 
ment. He  resolved  to  seek  his  fortune  far 


0  MEMOIR    OF 

from  the  scenes  of  his  childhood,  but  was 
prevented  by  the  vigilance  of  his  master  and 
the  tender  advice  of  his  mother.  He  felt 
bound  to  obey  his  parents  in  all  things,  and 
a  sense  of  his  obligation  to  them  was  a 
strong  restraint  upon  his  youthful  passions. 
The  controversy  between  the  colonies 
and  England  arising,  confinement  was  insuf- 
ferable. By  the  old  militia  law,  every  male 
inhabitant,  from  sixteen  years  old  to  sixty, 
was  obliged  to  be  provided  with  a  musket 
and  bayonet,  knapsack,  cartridge-box,  one 
pound  of  powder,  and  twenty  bullets  and 
twelve  flints.  In  time  of  peace,  these  re- 
quisitions were  neglected,  and  the  people  in 
general  were  not  completely  furnished. 
Young  Hidden  entreated  his  master,  at  the 
age  of  fifteen,  to  procure  him  the  above 
mentioned  materials  for  service.  Being  re- 
fused, he  determined  to  procure  them  for 
himself  and  by  extra  labor  obtained  means 
for  purchasing  them.  He  immediately 
showed  them  to  his  master,  saying,  "  What 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  21 

I  have  earned  I  can  use.  This  shall  make 
the  British  dogs  howl."  That  enthusiastic 
patriotism  which  elevates  the  soul  above  all 
considerations  of  interest  or  danger  had  now 
become  his  ruling  passion. 

The  year  1775,  was  the  commencement 
of  that  struggle  which  resulted  in  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  Colonies.  The  country 
was  alive  with  the  bustle  of  preparation,  and 
in  every  countenance  could  be  read  the  ex- 
pectation of  important  transactions  in  which 
all  must  participate.  Independent  compa- 
nies were  formed  ;  voluntary  trainings  were 
frequent ;  the  old  and  the  young,  the  rich 
and  the  poor  devoted  their  hours  of  amuse- 
ment and  of  leisure,  to  exercises  calculated 
to  fit  them  to  act  a  part  in  the  anticipated 
conflict. 

None  manifested  greater  zeal  than  young 
Hidden.  He  had  now  arrived  at  the  age  of 
.sixteen.  The  whole  country  was  in  arms. 
Charlestown  was  in  ashes  and  the  Battle  of 
Bunker's  Hill  had  been  faught ;  the  norths 


22  MEMOIR  OF 

era  frontier  was  awake  to  liberty  ;  the  brave 
and  generous  Montgomery  had  fallen  and 
disasters  continued  to  discourage.  But  there 
was  no  hope  of  reconciliation.  The  last 
humble  petition  of  Congress  to  the  king  had 
been  presented  ;  but  their  petitions  had  been 
slighted  ;  their  remonstrances  had  produced 
additional  violence  and  insult ;  their  suppli- 
cations had  been  disregarded  ;  and  they  had 
been  spurned,  with  contempt,  from  the  foot 
of  the  throne.  '  They  had  done  every 
thing  that  could  be  done,  to  avert  the  storm 
which  was  coming  on.  And  now  an  appeal 
to  arms,  and  to  the  God  of  hosts,  was  all 
that  was  left  them.  They  felt  that  there 
was  a  just  God,  who  presides  over  the  des- 
tinies of  nations,  and  who  would  raise  up 
friends  to  fight  their  battles  for  them.  That 
the  battle  was  not  to  the  strong  alone  ;  but 
to  the  vigilant,  the  active,  the  brave.'  Thus 
circumstanced,  the  famous  Declaration  of 
Independence  was  unanimously  adopted  in 
Congress  on  the  4th  of  July,  1776,  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  23 

welcomed  by  the  people  with  joy  which  was 
displayed  by  extraordinary  public  festivals. 
The  watch  word  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  was 
"  Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish, 
I  give  my  hand  and  my  heart  to  this  Dec- 
laration." Every  man  was  ready  to  say 
with  the  patriotic  John  Adams,  "  All  that  I 
have,  and  all  that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  hope, 
in  this  life,  I  am  now  ready  to  stake  upon  it. 
It  is  my  living  sentiment,  and  by  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  it  shall  be  my  dying  sentiment ; 
independence  now ;  and  independence  for- 
ever /" 

While  such  was  the  feeling  in  the  com- 
munity generally,  no  wonder  young  Hidden 
burned  with  patriotic  zeal  and  resolved  to 
glory  in  the  success  of  his  country  or  die  in 
her  defeat.  He  frankly  communicated  to 
his  master  his  resolution  to  leave  him  and 
fight  for  his  bleeding  country.  "  To  deal 
out  your  liquors  while  others  are  dealing  out 
their  blood  for  freedom  is  ignominious,'3 
said  he  to  his  master  who,  at  length  finding 


24  MEMOIR    OF 

that  the  spirit  of  his  apprentice  was  indomi- 
table, unawed  by  threatenings  and  unseduc- 
ed  by  promises,  gave  his  reluctant  consent. 

Thus  relieved  from  bondage  he  returned 
to  his  parents  and  found  them  in  great  need 
of  his  assistance.  On  leaving  his  master 
he  had  resolved  to  enter  the  army  immedi- 
ately, but  finding  his  parents  destitute  of  the 
comforts  of  life,  brothers  and  sisters  crying 
for  bread,  he  changed  his  plans  and  hired 
with  a  man  in  his  native  town  for  six  dollars 
per  month,  and  expended  his  wages  for  corn 
at  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  bushel  to 
support  the  family.  In  the  winter  he  labor- 
ed at  shoe-making  for  the  same  wages  and 
for  the  same  object. 

In  May,  1777,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
enlisted  under  Captain  Johnson  of  Andover, 
Massachusetts,  whose  father  then  command- 
ed the  regiment.  He  enlisted  in  this  com- 
pany of  militia  to  serve  two  months.  They 
forthwith  marched  to  Bristol,  Rhode  Island. 

Disaster  had  followed  the  American  army 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  25 

and  reduced  its  number.  But  the  brilliant 
victories  gained  by  Washington,  at  Trenton 
and  Princeton,  raised  from  the  lowest  de- 
pression, the  spirits  of  the  American  people, 
and  many  rallied  around  the  standard  of 
Washington. 

The  company  in  which  young  Hidden 
enlisted  consisted  of  volunteers  resolved  on 
liberty  or  death.  But  as  the  seat  of  the 
war  was  now  removed  to  the  south  of  Rhode 
Island,  they  were  not  forced  into  any  action 
with  the  enemy,  and  orders  were  issued  to 
Col.  Johnson  to  march  with  his  regiment  to 
Bennington,  Vt.  to  join  that  portion  of  the 
army  under  Gen.  Stark. 

As  Mr.  Hidden's  time  of  service  for 
which  he  enlisted  had  expired  he  returned 
to  Rowley  ;  but  as  inactivity  ill  suited  his 
nature,  within  four  days  of  his  return,  lie 
again  enlisted  under  Captain  Benjamin  Ad- 
ams of  Rowley,  in  the  same  Col.  Johnson's 
regiment,  for  four  months. 

The  British  were    now    concentrating  a 


26  MEMOIR    OF 

large  force  about  Lake  Champlain,  and 
Burgoyne  with  his  army  was  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward which  General  Schuylor  had  just 
evacuated.  The  American  General,  before 
leaving  Fort  Edward,  issued  a  proclamation 
calling  to  his  aid  the  militia  of  New-Eng- 
land and  New- York.  Aroused  by  the  dan- 
ger multitudes  obeyed  his  call.  "  Vermont 
poured  forth  her  daring  Green  Mountain 
boys  ;  the  other  States  of  New-England  their 
hardy  yeomanry,  ardent  in  the  cause  of 
freedom  ;  New-York,  her  valiant  sons  indig- 
nant at  the  invasion  of  her  territory,  and 
determined  to  protect  their  property  from 
pillage  and  destruction.  These  beset  the 
invaders  on  every  side,  impeding  their  pas- 
sage, cutting  off  their  supplies,  and  fatigu- 
ing them  by  incessant  attacks."  Thus  cir- 
cumstanced, Burgoyne  dispatched  Colonel 
Baum  with  five  hundred  Hessians  to  seize  the 
stores  of  provision  at  Bennington.  With 
this  detachment,  General  Stark  with  a  par- 
ty of  New-Hampshire  militia,  fought  a  fierce 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  27 

and  sanguinary  battle  on  the  16th  of  Au- 
gust, most  of  whom  he  either  killed  or  took 
prisoners.  The  prisoners  he  immediately 
sent  to  Boston,  whom  Mr.  Hidden  on  his 
march  to  Bennington  met  at  Northampton. 

This  decisive  victory  diffused  confidence 
and  joy.  The  friends  of  independence,  be- 
fore depressed  by  disaster  and  defeat,  were 
now  animated  by  the  prospect,  which  sud- 
denly burst  upon  them,  of  a  glorious  victory 
over  an  arrogant  and  once  dreaded  enemy. 
Again  crowds  of  militia  flocked  to  the  re- 
publican camp. 

The  company  in  which  Mr.  Hidden  en- 
listed arrived  at  Bennington  ;  thence  march- 
ed to  Manchester,  where  General  Warner 
took  the  command  of  the  Brigade.  From 
Manchester  they  marched  to  Powlet  and 
joined  Gen.  St.  Glair's  division  ;  thence  to 
Castleton  ;  thence  to  Hubbardton  ;  thence 
to  Mount  Independence,  which  is  situated 
on  the  strait  through  which  the  waters  of 
Lake  Geonie  and  East  Bay  flow  into  Lake 


23  MEMOIR    OF 

Charnplain,  in  the  north  west  part  of  the 
town  of  Orwell,  in  Rutland  County,  Vt., 
and  opposite  Ticonderoga.  A  vigorous 
attack  was  made  upon  the  fort  in  which,  Mr. 
Hidden  bore  his  share  of  toil  and  suffering. 
He  remained  here  five  days,  and  then  they 
returned  to  the  head  of  the  Lake  by  water. 
They  arrived  at  Stillwater  on  the  6th  of 
October,  where  Gen.  Gates  with  Generals 
Lincoln  and  Arnold  had  advanced.  Bur- 
goyne  on  the  17th  of  September,  encamp- 
ed near  the  American  army.  He  was  daily 
puling  his  army  into  a  more  hazardous  sit- 
uation ;  and  it  was  determined  that  no  ex- 
ertion be  wanting  on  the  part  of  Americans 
to  complete  the  ruin  of  his  boasted  enter- 
prise. 

On  the  18th  of  September,  the  first  bat- 
tle of  Stillwater  was  fought.  Both  armies 
fought  with  determined  resolution.  Night 
put  an  end  to  the  conflict. 

Burgoyne  pressed  on  all  sides,  resolved  on 
another  battle.  He  made  dispositions  to 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  29 

commence  the  action  with  the  right  wing 
of  his  army,  Gen.  Gates  made  a  sudden  and 
vigorous  attack  upon  the  left.  This  battle 
was  furious,  obstinate,  and  more  bloody  than 
the  other.  Toward  night  the  British  gave 
way.  Darkness  put  an  end  to  this  action. 
Gen.  Gates  endeavoring  to  surround  Bur- 
goyne,  the  latter  retreated  to  the  bights  of 
Saratoga  pursued  by  the  Americans.  The 
situation  of  the  British  troops  was  now  dis- 
tressing in  the  extreme,  and  Burgoyne,  by 
the  unanimous  advice  of  his  principal  offi- 
cers on  the  1 7th  of  October,  surrendered 
his  whole  army  prisoners  of  war.  During 
one  of  these  battles  Adjutant  Simpson,  fa- 
ther of  Judge  Simpson  of  New-Hampton, 
receiving  a  bullet  near  his  eye  fell  into  the 
arms  of  Mr.  Hidden,  and  by  him  with  the 
aid  of  others  was  carried  from  the  field  of 
battle. 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Bur- 
goyne's  army,  the  regiment  in  which  Mr. 
Hidden  served,  with  others  marched  to  Al- 


30  MEMOIR    OF 

bany.  They  performed  a  march  of  forty 
miles,  and  forded  the  Mohawk  river,  below 
the  falls,  in  the  space  of  fourteen  hours. 
The  design  of  this  rapid  movement  was  to 
check  the  progress  of  a  detachment,  com- 
manded by  the  British  General  Clinton  ; 
who  threatened  Albany  with  the  same  de- 
struction which  he  had  spread  in  the  country 
below ;  but  on  hearing  the  fate  of  Bur- 
goyne,  he  returned  quietly  to  New-York. 

Finding  that  the  enemy  had  departed 
Johnson's  regiment  proceeded  to  Newburgh, 
thence  to  Tarry  Town  by  water,  and  thence 
to  White  Plains  where  Mr.  Hidden  was 
seized  with  the  measles.  The  season  was 
now  inclement  and  he  was  thinly  clad,  and 
sometimes  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  earth  with 
only  a  blanket  for  protection.  Thus  ex- 
posed he  narrowly  escaped  death.  From 
the  effects  of  the  measles  he  never  entirely 
recovered.  He  lost  in  some  measure  the 
use  of  his  limbs.  He  received  all  the  at- 
tention it  was  possible  to  bestow  under  such 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  31 

circumstances.  He  had  greatly  endeared 
himself  to  his  comrades  in  arms  as  well  as 
to  his  commanders.  He  was  young,  but 
bold.  No  danger  could  intimidate.  He  was 
fearless  in  battle  and  fought  for  liberty  as 
for  life.  But  when  sickness  visited  him  he 
felt  the  need  of  some  friendly  voice  to  cheer 
and  some  kind  hand  to  assist.  A  mothers 
voice  would  then  have  sounded  like  music, 
and  her  presence  been  like  an  angel's  visit. 
This  was  the  first  time  he  had  longed  for 
"  sweet  home."  The  stirring  scenes  of  the 
camp  and  battle  field  had  given  him  no  time 
to  think  of  the  past.  The  present  and  the 
future  absorbed  his  mind. 

Remaining  here  a  few  clays,  and  the  time 
for  which  he  enlisted  having  expired,  he, 
with  most  of  the  company  in  which  he 
served,  returned  home  the  last  of  November, 
feeble  and  suffering  with  hunger.  He  re- 
mained in  Rowley,  laboring  to  support  his 
fathers  family  during  the  following  winter 
and  spring  of  1778.  Count  D'Estinghav- 


32  MEMOIR    OF 

ing  arrived  with  a  French  fleet  to  co-operate 
with  the  American  army,  it  was  resolved  to 
regain  those  posts  in  Rhode  Island  then  oc- 
cupied by  the  British.  Gen.  Sullivan  was 
appointed  to  conduct  the  operations,  who 
called  upon  the  militia  of  New-England,  to 
aid  him  in  the  enterprise.  His  army  soon 
amounted  to  ten  thousand  men. 

Mr.  Hidden  could  not  remain  at  home 
while  others  fought.  In  July,  1778,  he 
again  enlisted  in  Captain  Jonathan  Kortus' 
company  in  Col.  Wade's  regiment  for  four 
months,  and  immediately  marched  to  Rhode 
Island.  At  Providence,  he  met  the  conti- 
nental troops  with  Gens.  Sullivan,  LaFay- 
ette,  Glover  and  Green.  On  the  ninth  of 
August,  General  Sullivan  commenced  the 
siege  of  Newport.  But  unsupported  by  the 
fleet,  by  an  unforseen  event,  he  was  obliged 
to  withdraw,  after  several  skirmishes  and  the 
loss  of  some  men. 

Col.  Wade's  regiment  spent  the  rest  of 
the  four  months  in  East  Greenwich  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  33 

North  Kingston.  Mr.  Hidden  then  return^ 
ed  and  labored  with  Mr.  William  Price  of 
Newburyport,  to  pay  him  a  debt  of  his  fath- 
er's amounting  to  about  one  hundred  dollars. 
He  continued  here  two  years,  until  1781. 

During  this  period,  notwithstanding  the 
stirring  scenes  of  war,  and  the  necessity  of 
constant  toil  when  at  home,  he  did  not  neg- 
lect mental  culture.  He  had  improved  ev- 
ery opportunity  for  acquiring  the  rudiments 
of  the  English  language.  He  usually  spent 
his  evenings  and  sometimes  entire  nights  in 
•the  study  of  the  natural  sciences  and  read- 
ing history.  He  gave  much  attention  to 
vocal  and  instrumental  music.  He  read  with 
deep  interest  poetry  which  so  well  suited 
his  lively  imagination. 

In  the  spring  of  1781,  he  resolved  again 
to  enlist  in  his  country's  cause.  Ships  own- 
ed and  manned  by  private  individuals  were 
commissioned  by  the  States 'to  seize  the 
vessels  of  the  British,  and  thus  annoy  their 
commerce.  In  one  of  these  vessels  he  re- 
3 


34  MEMOIR    OF 

solved  to  ship.  The  spirit  which  animated 
his  youthful  breast  may  be  best  perceived 
by  the  perusal  of  a  "  War  Song,"  written 
by  him  just  before  leaving  on  this  expedition, 
and  dedicated  to  Miss  Betsey  Price,  his 
cousin,  afterwards  wife. 

A  WAR  SONG. 

Come  all  yc  sons  of  temptcst  sled,  come  hark  to  war'* 

alarm ; 
Leave  sports  and  plays  and  holidays,  and  hark  away 

to  arms ; 

A  soldier  is  a  gentleman,  his  honor  is  his  life, 
And  he  that  won't  stand  by  his  post,  will  ne'er  stand 

by  his  wife. 

For  love  and  honor  are  the  same  or  else  so  well  allied, 
That  neither  can  exist  alone,  but  flourish  side  by  side  ; 
So  fare  ye  well  sweet-hearts  awhile,  ye  smiling  girls 

adieu, 
And  when  we  have  drove  those  dogs  away,  we'll  kiss 

it  out  with  you. 

The  spring  is  up,  the  winter's  gone,  the   fields  are 

green  and  gay, 

And  all  inviting  honor  calls,  away  my  boys,  away ; 
To  shady  tents  by  cooling  streams  with  hearts  so  firm 

and  free, 
We'll  toss  the  cares  of  life  away,  in  gongs  of  liberty. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  35 

No  foreign  king  shall  give  us  laws  nor  British  tyrants 

reign, 
For  independence   made   us  free,  and  independence 

we'll  maintain ; 
We'll  charge  our  foes  from  post  to  post,  attack  their 

work  and  lines, 
Or  by  some  well  laid  stratagem,  we'll  make  them  all 

Burgoynes. 

And  when  the  wars  are  over,  boys,  then  down   we'll 

sit  at  case  ; 
We'll  plow,  we'll  sow,  we'll  reap,  we'll  mow  and  live 

just  as  we  please, 
Each  hearty  lad  shall  take  his  lass,  all  shining  like  u 

star, 
And  in  her  softer  arms,  forget  the  dangers  of  the  war. 

The  rising  world  shall  sing  of  us  a  thousand  years  to 

come, 
And  to   their  children's  children  tell  the  wonders  we 

have  done  ; 
Come  honest  fellows  here's  my  hand,  my  heart,   my 

very  soul, 
With   all   the   songs  of  liberty,  good  fortune  and   the 

bowl. 

He  enlisted  to  serve  on  board  the  ship, 
Pilgrim,  commanded  by  Captain  Robinson, 
carrying  eighteen  nine  pounders  and  one 


36  MEMOIR    OF 

hundred  and  thirty  men,  commissioned  by 
the  State  of  Massachusetts  for  eight  months. 
This  vessel  sailed  from  Beverly,  and  in  a 
few  days  fell  in  with  the  British  Brig,  Alfred, 
having  sixteen  guns  and  forty-one  men,  from 
Liverpool. 

The  action  was  commenced  on  the  part 
of  the  Americans,  and  met  with  great  obsti- 
nacy on  the  part  of  the  British.  After  a 
struggle  of  one  hour  and  a  half,  the  British 
Brig  surrendered  and  was  sent  into  Salem. 
Mr.  Hidden  was  sent  in  with  the  prize, 
though  the  Pilgrim  continued  on  the  ocean 
the  time  for  which  it  was  commissioned,  and 
was  successful  in  several  encounters.  A 
share  of  all  the  prizes  he  drew  according  to 
the  regulations  of  such  vessels. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  Corn wallis  sur- 
rendered to  Gen.  Washington.  The  joy  of 
the  people  at  this  intelligence  was  unbound- 
ed. '  To  the  Giver  of  all  good,  they  united 
in  rendering,  with  grateful  hearts,  thanks- 
giving and  praise  for  the  decisive  victory 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  37 

which  he  had  enabled  them  to  gain.  From 
the  nature  and  duration  of  the  contest,  the 
affections  of  many  had  been  so  concentrated 
upon  their  country,  and  so  intense  was  their 
interest  in  its  fate,  that  the  news  of  this 
brilliant  success  produced  the  most  raptur- 
ous emotion.'  Early  in  the  spring  of  1782, 
pacific  overtures  were  made  to  the  Ameri- 
can government,  and  both  nations  desisted 
from  hostile  measures. 

The  prosperity  of  the  country  began  to 
revive.  Industry  every  where  prevailed. 
The  young  and  the  old  addressed  themselves 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  to 
gaining  a  livelihood  by  other  means  of  in- 
dustry. 

Hitherto  Mr.  Hidden  had  labored  exclu- 
sively for  the  support  of  his  father's  family, 
and  the  freedom  of  his  country.  He  had 
bared  his  bosom  to  the  dangers  of  a  sangui- 
nary war  the  most  unnatural  in  the  annals 
of  civilized  nations,  and  prosecuted  with  a 
barbarity  on  the  part  of  the  British  most  re*? 


MEMOIR    OF 


volting  to  humanity.  But  the  hardships  of 
war  were  at  an  end,  peace  and  contentment 
pervaded  the  people. 


SAMUEL,    HIDDEN.  39 


CHAPTER  II. 

Goes  to  Gilmanton — Teaches  school — Rev, 
Mr.  Smith — Visits  Dartmouth  College — 
Prepares  for  College — Religious  impres- 
sions—  Conversion — Humility — Industry 
— Testimony  of  President  Wheeloclc — • 
Pecuniary  anxiety — Elasticity  of  mind 
— Reliance  on  God — Christian  boldness 
— Donations — Graduates, 

In  1783,  Mr.  Hidden  went  to  Gilmanton, 
New-Hampshire,  and  labored  with  Mr. 
William  Price,  teaching  school  for  the  first 
time  during  the  winter.  Notwithstanding 
the  nature  of  his  employment  and  the  un- 
remitted  attention  to  labor,  his  inextinguish- 
able thirst  for  knowledge  had  led  him  to 
qualify  himself  to  teach  in  all  those  branches 
of  English  education  then  usually  taught. 


40  MEMOIR    OF 

He  possessed  a  vigorous  intellect.  Without 
an  instructor,  and  with  means  the  common- 
est and  rudest,  he  had  become  a  prodigy  as 
a  "  school  master"  He  greatly  signalized 
himself  in  this  occupation.  While  teach- 
ing day  schools  he  also  taught  vocal  music 
in  which  he  was  without  a  rival  in  all  that 
region.  He  moreover  often  recited  to  Rev. 
Mr.  Smith,  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  in  Gilmanton  ;  often  walking  five 
miles  for  this  purpose.  He  at  once  won 
the  esteem  of  his  teacher.  He  soon  became 
acquainted  with  the  families  of  Hons.  Jo- 
seph Badger  and  Thomas  Cogswell,  also 
Gen.  Joseph  Badger,  Jr.  He  taught  schools 
in  their  sections  of  the  town  ;  also  in  their 
houses  and  boarded  in  their  families.  They 
deemed  him  a  young  man  of  a  high  order 
of  intellect  and  worthy  esteem.  He 
was  familiar  with  the  history  of  the  country, 
ready  to  communicate,  pleasing  in  manners, 
kind,  cheerful,  enterprising,  and  promised 
to  make  a  man  of  eminence.  They  con- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  41 

sidered  him  a  valuable  appendage  to  their 
families,  and  so  completely  captivated  were 
they  as  to  deem  him  indispensable  to  their 
enjoyment.  The  social  visit  was  insipid 
without  his  conversation  to  enliven  and  his 
voice  to  cheer.  He  gave  life  to  every  en- 
terprise. Their  children  were  his  pupils 
and  companions.  They  relieved  his  wants 
and  encouraged  him  in  his  employment. 

He  was  unwearied  in  acts  of  kindness  to 
his  parents,  his  brothers  and  sisters.  The 
avails  of  his  industry  were  cheerfully  devot- 
ed to  their  comfort.  Self  was  always  for- 
gotten when  others  needed. 

Thus  he  continued  to  teach  mostly  in 
Gilmanton,  sometimes  in  other  towns.  In 
1785,  he  was  employed  to  teach  at  Gilman- 
ton Centre.  He  resided  in  the  family  of 
Gen.  Joseph  Badger,  Junior,  having  for  his 
pupil  and  bed-fellow,  William  Badger,  late 
Governor  of  New-Hampshire.  When  the 
school-money  was  expended  they  obtained 


42  MEMOIR    OF 

private  schools.     He  also  continued  to  teach 
with  great  success  vocal  music. 

During  this  time,  he  was  induced  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Smith,  to  attend  Commencement  at 
Dartmouth  College.  This  College  com- 
menced its  operations  in  1770,  the  first  Com- 
mencement being  held  the  following  year. 
A  deep  interest  was  felt  in  its  success 
throughout  the  country.  President  Whee- 
lock,  its  founder,  had  wisely  conducted  its 
concerns  and  it  was  beginning  to  exert  ex- 
tensive influence  in  the  cause  of  education 
and  piety.  Tt  was  natural  that  any  young 
man  of  promising  talents  should  be  advised 
to  obtain  a  liberal  education,  and  that  many 
should  be  disposed  to  assist  such  young  men 
as  could  be  spared  ;  for  at  this  time  they 
were  few.  As  often  as  Mr.  Smith  suggest- 
ed this  course,  Mr.  Hidden  remarked,  there 
were  insuperable  obstacles.  He  felt  that 
he  was  too  far  advanced  in  years  and  desti- 
tute of  the  requisite  means  of  support. 
The  former  objection  Mr.  Smith  could  easi- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  43 

ly  remove  by  referring  to  himself  as  having 
commenced  study  preparatory  for  college  at 
an  advanced  age,  and  the  latter  appeared 
less  formidable  from  the  consideration  that 
he  had  wealthy  friends  in  Gil  man  ton,  who 
would  render  aid. 

He  had  often  in  imagination  visited  Dart- 
mouth College  in  the  forest  and  acted  a 
prominent  part,  but  these  were  only  castles 
in  the  air  that  soon  vanished.  He  now  em- 
braced an  opportunity  in  company  with  Mr. 
Smith,  Mr.  Eliphalet  Wood  of  Loudon,  Mr. 
William  Price  and  others,  to  visit  this  loved 
retreat  and  witness  the  exercises  of  the  Com- 
mencement season. 

A  Commencement  at  College  is  admirably 
adapted  to  awaken  the  latent  energies  of  the 
youthful  mind.  The  sparkling  eye,  the 
flush  of  youth,  the  countenance  radiant  with 
joy,  the  bosom  swelling  with  bright  hopes, 
the  last  greetings  of  classmates,  the  severing 
of  thousand  ties,  the  tender  meltings  of 
heart  at  leaving  their  Alma  Mater,  stir  the 


44  MEMOIR    OF 

soul  and  provoke  strong  aspirations  for  a 
participation  in  like  scenes. 

A  mind  like  his  must  be  deeply  moved. 
Naturally  fond  of  learning  and  of  ardent  feel- 
ings, laudably  ambitious,  active  and  ardent, 
he  returned  resolved  on  his  subsequent 
course.  He  was  delighted  with  what  his 
eye  had  seen  and  his  ear  heard.  He  soon 
entered  upon  the  study  of  the  classics  with 
Mr.  Smith,  continuing  in  the  mean  time  to 
teach.  He  recited  once  a  week  regularly. 
By  his  kind  disposition,  familiar  manner  of 
communication  and  acquired  knowledge  of 
the  common  branches  of  education,  acquired 
by  redeeming  time,  he  became  a  highly  pop<- 
ular  teacher. 

In  this  employment  he  took  great  delight. 
He  spared  no  labor  to  prove  useful  to  his 
pupils.  Besides  the  usual  instruction  he 
formed  a  company  of  militia  of  young  men, 
whom  he  taught  tactics.  Many  of  these 
now  survive  and  remember  him  with  the 
liveliest  emotions. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  45 

His  progress  in  the  study  of  the  classics 
was  very  rapid,  and  in  September  of  1787, 
he  entered  Dartmouth  College,  aged  twen- 
ty-seven, having  spent  less  than  one  year's 
study  in  his  preparatory  course.  He  left  a 
large  circle  of  warm  friends  who  wished 
him  success  and  promised  to  welcome  his 
return.  He  carried  with  him  his  shoe  mak- 
ing instruments  expecting  by  them  to  sup- 
port himself  in  College  in  a  great  measure. 
He  is  related  to  have  expressed  the  most 
enthusiastic  joy  on  being  presented,  just  be- 
fore leaving  Gil  man  ton,  with  several  new 
knives  and  awls  by  Gen.  Badger,  Junior, 
which  he  procured  at  Portsmouth,  and  a 
large  quantity  of  bristles  given  him  by  his 
pupils.  It  might  have  been  foreseen  from 
Mr.  Hidden's  earliest  displays  of  character, 
that  he  was  formed  to  be  an  instrument  of 
extensive  evil  or  of  eminent  good.  '  There 
was  a  decision — a  daring — an  untameablc- 
ncss  in  the  structure  of  his  mind  even  when 
a  boy,  combined  with  a  tone  of  authority 


46  MEMOIR    OF 

and  command,  and  a  talent  in  the  exercise 
of  these  qualities,  to  which  the  minds  of  his 
associates  yielded  an  implicit  subjection. 
Fear  of  consequences  never  entered  into  his 
view.  Opposition,  especially  if  accompa- 
nied by  any  thing  like  severity  or  oppression, 
awakened  unrelenting  resistance.  Yet  this 
bold  and  untameable  spirit  was  allied  to  a 
noble  and  generous  disposition.  There  was 
a  magnificence  in  his  mind.  His  mind  was 
too  noble,  to  have  recourse  to  other  means 
or  to  aim  at  other  ends,  than  those  which 
he  avowed  ;  and  too  intrepid  not  to  avow 
those  which  he  did  entertain,  so  far  as  might 
be  required  or  expedient.  Notwithstanding 
this  trait  of  character,  he  possessed  a  deep 
sympathy — a  sympathy  which  sprung  less 
from  that  softness  and  sensibility  which  are 
the  ornament  of  the  female,  than  from  the 
generosity  of  his  disposition.  He  would 
have  all  men  happy,  and  it  gratified  his 
generous  nature  to  ease  the  burdens  of  suffer- 
ing man.'  Of  his  religious  impressions  we 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  47 

have  not  hitherto  spoken.  Being  early 
taught  the  Scriptures  of  truth  and  educated 
according  to  the  customs  of  the  Pilgrims, 
he  was  early  the  subject  of  religious  impres- 
sions. Conscience  was  often  alarmed.  A- 
midst  the  scenes  of  the  camp  and  battle 
field  he  never  forgot  the  presence  of  God. 
He  remarked  that  he  always  uttered  men- 
tally the  Lord's  prayer  as  he  engaged  with 
the  enemy.  While  at  Gilmanton.  he  was 
by  all  considered  a  strictly  moral  man,  and 
by  many  pious,  though  he  made  no  profes- 
sion of  religion.  Such  was  the  state  of  his 
mind  that  he  always  felt  it  his  duty  to  pray 
morning  and  evening  in  his  schools.  He 
habituated  himself  to  secret  prayer.  He 
was  sometimes  deeply  affected  in  view  of 
his  lost  condition  as  a  sinner.  He  was  like 
the  young  man  in  the  gospel  nigh  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  but  refused  to  enter. 

When  he  entered  College,  as  he  often  re- 
marked, he  '•  hoped  he  should  become  pi- 
ous." He  felt  called  by  a  voice  within  to 


48  MEMOIR    OF 

do  good.  He  resolved  eventually  to  conse- 
crate the  powers  of  his  mind  to  the  service 
of  Christ.  But  so  prone  is  man  to  defer 
the  work  of  repentance,  he  did  not  become 
pious  until  his  Sophomore  year  in  College, 
uniting  with  the  church  at  Hanover,  June 
20,  1790.  A  revival  was  then  enjoyed  in 
that  institution,  and  he  surrendered  his  heart 
to  Christ  and  enlisted  all  the  energies  of  his 
soul  in  the  cause  of  his  Redeemer.*  His 

*  Rev.  Ebenezcr  Price  of  Boscavven,  his  brother-in- 
law,  and  three  years  companion  in  College,  supposes 
him  to  have  been  pious  previous  to  his  entrance  into 
College.  After  speaking  of  the  motive  which  induced 
him  to  obtain  a  liberal  education,  he  remarks  :  "  This 
opinion,  however,  supposes  a  change  of  heart  ;  when 
lhat  change  took  place,  t  have  not  had  the  means  of 
knowing.  It  is  true,  he  made  public  profession  of  re- 
ligion after  he  entered  College.  And  it  is  also  true, 
that  he  had  for  years  previous  to  his  College  life,  in 
the  view  of  his  intimate  friends  sustained  not  only  a 
fair  moral  character,  but  furnished  strong  evidences  of 
Christian  feeling  and  conduct.  That  was  done  by  his 
uniform  attachment  to  the  institutions  and  truths  of 
the  gospel — by  his  constant  and  conscientious  attend- 
ance upon  sanctuary  worship  as  he  had  opportunity — 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  49 

spiritual  joy  was  unbounded  though  he  was 
humbled  in  the  dust.  His  humility  was  a 

by  his  veneration  of  the  truly  religious  and  his  delight 
in  their  company.  Furthermore,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  his  school  keeping,  he  invariably  began  and 
ended  each  day  with  prayer  ;  and  as  occasion  requir- 
ed he  conversed  in  school  and  in  young  company  upon 
the  subject  of  religion,  administering  Christian  re- 
proof when  called  for  with  faithfulness  and  affection  ; 
leaving  the  impression  upon  young  and  old,  that  he 
was  in  the  sincerity  of  his  heart  the  friend  of  God. 

I  therefore  suppose,  my  view  of  Mr.  Hidden  is  vir- 
tually the  same  with  that  of  his  numerous  friends  at 
Gilmanton,  that  he  had  experienced  the  renewing 
grace  of  God  years  before  entering  College  ;  but  then 
in  the  revival  his  hope  was  confirmed  and  his  duty  so 
forcibly  impressed  that  he  could  no  longer  refrain  from 
uniting  with  the  church  of  Christ.  Though  associated 
with  the  most  pious  and  engaged  Christians  in  and  out 
of  College,  he  was  essentially  the  same  thoughtful,  cir- 
cumspect man  of  God,  who  had  for  years  been  our 
companion  and  friend. 

I  will  but  add,  that  tliis  last  thought  sufficiently  ex- 
hibits the  exalted  motive  which  fixed  his  choice  and 
made  intense  labor  easy  in  securing  a  College  educa- 
cation,  viz.  the  ministry  of  reconciliation." 

The  above  is  confirmed  by  several  letters  written 
before  he  entered  College,  which  however  were  un- 

4 


50  MEMOIR    OF 

prominent  characteristic.  '  It  was  not  that 
humility  which  debases  itself  that  it  may  be 
exalted,  and  which  is  offended  if  its  profes- 
sions be  believed  ;  but  the  humility  which 
arose  from  abiding  and  growing  conviction 
of  his  infinite  distance  from  the  standard  of 
perfection,  from  God,  and  a  neglect  of  those 
means  which  he  had  enjoyed  for  approach- 
ing that  standard.  It  led  him  to  feel  dissat- 
isfied with  every  thing  he  had  done  and  to 
feel  his  own  insignificance  in  comparison 
with  others.  It  led  him  to  acknowledge 
the  worth  of  others/  He  had  an  unfeign- 
ed regard  for  worth  wherever  it  was  found. 
He  loved  whatever  God  had  made. 

After  his  conversion  he  immediately  re- 
solved to  devote  himself  to  the  Christian 
ministry.  He  grew  rapidly  in  grace  and  in 
the  knowledge  of  God.  All  the  feelings  of 
his  nature  were  enlisted  in  the  work  of  sav- 

derstood  to  have  been  written  as  mere  literary  efforts. 
It  is  certain  that  lie  had  no  confidence  iti  any  hope  en- 
tertained previous  to  his  Sophomore  year  in  College. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  51 

ing  men.  He  exhorted,  with  great  ferven- 
cy, his  former  associates  and  acquaintances, 
to  embrace  that  Saviour  now  so  precious  to 
his  soul. 

On  entering  College  he  was  almost  desti- 
tute of  money.  He  devoted  every  leisure 
moment  to  shoemaking  and  teaching  vocal 
music.  Hitherto  the  science  of  music  had 
been  greatly  neglected  in  that  institution. 
In  fact  no  singing  school  had  ever  been 
taught  in  that  place.  His  musical  talents 
soon  gained  him  much  notoriety.  He  was 
immediately  employed  to  impart  instruction 
and  was  thereby  enabled  to  defray  a  part  of 
his  expenses. 

President  Wheelock  one  day  found  him 
making  a  pair  of  shoes.  At  which  Mr.  Hid- 
den discovered  some  little  mortification. 
But  the  President  told  him  he  had  no  occa- 
sion to  be  disconcerted,  arid  that  for  the  fu- 
ture he  would  employ  him  to  supply  him- 
self and  family.  Being  thus  encouraged  he 


52  MEMOIR    OF 

ho  longer  worked  clandestinly  :  but  labored 
whenever  opportunity  was  presented. 

He  would  often  labor  while  his  classmates 
slept.  When  reading  was  his  business  some 
classmate  would  read  aloud  while  he  worked. 
This  was  done  partly  because,  sometimes  he 
could  earn  a  little  thereby  and  at  others  be- 
cause he  could  benefit  some  indigent  class- 
mate, or  friend,  by  thus  working  for  him 
with  the  awl  and  hammer  while  he  read  au- 
dibly for  his  benefit.  Many  an  hour  did  he 
thus  benevolently  labor.  Benevolence  gave 
character  to  his  every  action. 

At  the  commencement  of  his  second  year, 
he  and  Mr.  Ebenezer  Price  of  Gilmanton, 
then  about  to  enter  College,  afterwards  set- 
tled in  Boscawen,  drove  a  cow  to  Hanover, 
subsisting  upon  milk  on  their  journey  thither 
and  when  there.  This  lessened  their  expen- 
ses and  was  considered  highly  commenda- 
ble. 

He  often  received  valuable  donations  from 
friends  in  money  and  clothing.  Visiting 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  53 

some  acquaintances  in  Exeter  during  a  vaca- 
tion, a  gentleman  with  whom  he  tarried  ask- 
ed  him  the  evening  before  leaving  for  Dart- 
mouth College,  if  he  would  carry  a  large 
pack  upon  his  back  to  Hanover  if  he  would 
present  him  one  ?  Mr.  Hidden  assured  him 
he  should  be  grateful  for  any  thing  he  might 
give.  The  next  morning  the  gentleman  car- 
ried him  in  his  carriage  to  Brentwood,  and 
gave  him  a  large  pack  of  clothes  which  he 
did  not  examine  until  he  arrived  at  Hanover. 
On  opening  it,  to  his  great  joy  he  found  three 
suits  of  clothes  but  little  worn,  and  many 
other  valuable  articles.  Calling  to  his  room 
some  of  his  fellow  students  in  as  needy  cir- 
cumstances as  himself,  he  generously  distrib- 
uted a  large  share  of  his  goods  to  them 
Freely  receiving  he  freely  gave.  He  often 
remarked  that  this  bundle  of  clothing, 

O-7 

though  it  cost  him  much  labor  to  carry  it 
upon  his  back  so  far,  "  was  the  most  gratify- 
ing gift  he  ever  received,  for  it  relieved  the 
necessities  of  so  many," 


54  .      MEMOIR    OF 

He  was  also  allowed  to  be  absent  occa- 
sionally to  teach.  The  following  I  shall 
here  insert  not  only  to  substantiate  this  fact, 
but  to  show  in  what  estimation  he  was  held 
by  the  President  of  the  College. 

"  This  certifies,  that  the  bearer,  Samuel 
Hidden,  is  a  member  in  regular  standing 
with  the  Junior  Class  of  this  University. 
He  is  a  young  gentleman  of  talents,  of  un- 
blemished moral  character,  and  of  respecta- 
ble acquirements  in  literature  for  his  station. 
As  his  circumstances  render  it  necessary  for 
him  to  be  absent  a  few  months ;  and  to  un- 
dertake in  the  instruction  of  a  school  during 
that  time,  he  is  hereby  most  sincerely  and 
cheerfully  recommended  for  that  employ- 
ment to  the  friendly  notice  and  considera- 
tion of  the  wise  and  good. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Dartmouth,  &tc. 
this  14th  day  of  July,  1790. 

J.  WHEELOCK,  President." 

Thus  it  is  obvious  he  sustained  a  fair  rep- 
utation for  scholarship  and  was  highly 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  55 

esteemed.  It  may  naturally  be  asked  how 
he  so  well  sustained  himself  as  a  scholar,  or 
how  his  mental  habits,  and  especially  the 
rapidity  of  his  intellectual  operations,  can  be 
accounted  for.  '  A  partial  answer  may  be 
found  in  the  fact  that  his  time  was  divided 
between  labor  and  study.  And  moreover 
whatever  might  be  his  employment  he  en- 
gaged in  it  with  cheerfulness  and  prosecuted 
it  with  fidelity.  The  ruling  passion  of  his 
soul  was  thirst  for  knowledge.  This  he 
sought  to  quench,  or  rather  to  cherish,  by 
resorting  to  his  book  at  every  interval  from 
toil,  however  short,  when  he  tasked  his 
mind  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  intent  on 
making  the  greatest  possible  acquisition  in 
a  given  time.  His  mind,  though  strung  up 
to  the  highest  pitch  of  exertion  at  those 
season's,  suffered  no  injury  thereby,  as  it  was 
soon  diverted  from  its  employment  by  a  call 
to  labor  ;  and  every  repetition  of  the  pro- 
cess extended  its  capability  and  power. 
The  acquisitions,  in  this  way  obtained,  fur- 


56  MEMOIR    OF 

nished  materials  on  which  to  employ  his 
thoughts  while  engaged  in  manual  labor, 
which  he  would  not  fail  to  digest  and  lay 
up  in  store  for  future  use, — a  voluntary  dis- 
cipline of  most  auspicious  influence,  as  it 
respects  the  faculty  of  acquiring  knowledge,, 
and  the  power  of  retaining  it.'  Thus  his 
intellectual  powers  acquired  unusual  vigor 
and  elasticity.  He  possessed  a  wonderful 
versatility  of  mind.  These  characterized 
him  in  subsequent  life. 

He  often  remarked  that  his  pecuniary  em- 
barrassments occasioned  him  great  anxiety, 
so  much  as  at  times  unfit  him  for  study.  It 
was  not  so  popular  then  for  young  men  to 
live  on  credit  as  now.  This  destructive 
practice  was  then  but  little  known,  and  we 
would  it  never  had  been  ;  for  it  crushes  the 
intellect  and  blunts  the  moral  feelings.  Of 
all  the  galling  miseries  that  a  young  man  of 
sensibilities  is  heir  to,  the  most  intolerable, 
the  most  debasing,  the  most  corroding  to  the 
heart,  the  most  destructive  to  the  mind,  is 


V 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  57 

the  consciousness  of  debt  without  the  means 
of  payment.  '  Oh  !  what  days  of  humilia- 
tion, what  nights  of  nervous  wakefulness,  or 
else  of  dreaming  horror  does  he  abide  on  whose 
oppressed  spirit,  is  laid  the  load  of  payments 
he  cannot  meet,  of  obligations  he  cannot 
cancel.  For  him,  though  the  sun  shines 
abroad,  there  is  no  beauty  in  his  beams. 
The  earth  is  clothed  with  verdure,  and  a 
thousand  odorous  flowers  are  scattered  in  his 
path.  He  heeds  them  not ;  their  perfume  is 
wasted  on  him.  The  moon  rides  in  liquid 
lustre,  and  the  myriad  stars  break  forth  in 
light,  and  the  whole  heaven  is  clothed  with 
exceeding  glory  ;  but  there  is  darkness  in 
his  soul  no  light  can  penetrate — a  grief  at 
his  heart,  no  beauties  of  nature  can  assuage. 
His  energies  are  dead  ;  they  fester  beneath 
the  pall  of  despair.'  No,  there  is  no  killing 
like  that  of  consciousness  of  inability  to 
meet  demands. 

Notwithstanding  to  endure  this  be  a  pain- 
ful and  bitter  task,  ;  it  has  sometimes  its  re- 


58  MEMOIR    OF 

demption.  There  are  some  whom  the  light- 
ning of  fortune  blasts,  only  to  render  holy. 
Amidst  all  that  humbles  and  scathes — 
amidst  all  that  shatters  from  their  life  its  ver- 
dure, smites  to  the  dust  the  pomp  and  sum- 
mit of  their  pride,  and  in  the  very  heart  of 
existence  writes  a  sudden  and  "  strange  de- 
feature," they  stand  erect,  riven,  not  up- 
rooted, a  monument  less  of  pity  than  of 
awe.  There  are  those  who,  exalted  by  a 
spirit  above  all  casualty  and  wo,  seem  to 
throw  over  the  most  degrading  circumstan- 
ces a  halo  of  an  innate  and  consecrating 
power  ;  the  very  things,  which  seen  alone 
are  despicable  and  vile,  associated  with  them, 
become  almost  venerable  and  divine  ;  and 
some  portion,  however  dim  and  feeble,  of 
that  intense  holiness  which,  in  the  Infant 
God,  shed  majesty  over  the  manger  and  the 
straw,  is  not  denied  to  those  who,  in  the 
depth  of  affliction,  cherish  the  angel  virtue 
at  their  hearts,  and  fling  over  the  meanest  lo- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  59 

calities  of  earth  an  emination  from  the  glo- 
ry of  heaven.' 

It  is  in  this  latter  condition,  Mr.  Hidden 
presents  himself.  His  mind  was  elastic.  It 
could  not  be  wholly  crushed.  It  dispersed 
the  clouds,  and,  like  the  sun,  when  the  fog  is 
past,  was  stronger  in  its  course  and  more 
piercing  in  its  rays. 

"  The  beings  of  the  mind  are  not  of  clay  ; 
Essentially  immortal  they  create, 
And  multiply  in  us  a  brighter  ray 
And  more  beloved  existence." 

Though  he  was  at  times  depressed,  his 
energies  rallied.  He  raised  his  eye  to 
heaven,  and  saw  the  hand  of  God  in  his 
affliction.  He  rose  in  the  native  dignity  of 
man  and  felt  that,  if  he  were  depressed  with 
poverty  whose  iron  hand  laid  rudely  and 
heavily  upon  him,  he  might  take  courage. 
Mighty  ones  had  heen  his  predecessors  and 
had  withstood  the  current  of  opposition  that 
threatened  to  overthrow  their  frail  bark. 

He  had    a   practical    reliance  on   Provi- 


60  MEMOIR    OF 

dence  in  all  the  most  minute  and  seemingly 
indifferent  affairs  of  his  life.  He  was  em- 
phatically, to  use  his  own  expression,  "  a 
pupil  of  signs" — '  waiting  for  and  follow- 
ing the  leadings  and  openings  of  divine 
providence  in  his  affairs.  His  faith  in  God 
was  unwavering.  This  divine  principle 
quite  realized  and  substantiated  to  him  the 
things  which  are  not  seen  and  eternal.  It 
was  like  another  sense.  The  things  of  time 
were  nothing.  Every  thing  that  came  be- 
fore him  was  referred  to  a  spiritual  standard. 
His  one  great  object  was  fixed,  and  this  ob- 
ject engrossed  his  whole  soul.  Here  his 
foot  stood  immovable,  as  on  a  rock.  His 
hold  on  the  truths  of  the  Scriptures  was  so 
firm,  that  he  acted  on  them  boldly  and  un- 
reservedly. He  went  all  lengths,  and  risk- 
ed all  consequences,  on  the  word  and  prom- 
ise of  God.'  He  had  no  misgivings. 

He  had  resolved  to  consecrate  all  he  pos- 
sessed to  the  service  of  Christ.  Therefore 
poverty  could  not  intimidate  him.  '  The 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  61 

'world  in  arms  would  not  have  appalled  him, 
while  the  glory  of  Christ  was  in  view. 
Nor  would  he  have  hesitated  for  a  moment^ 
after  he  had  given  to  nature  her  just  tribute 
of  feeling  and  of  tears,  to  go  forth  from  his 
friends  and  join  "  the  noble  army  of  mar- 
tyrs" who  expired  in  the  flames,  had  the 
honor  of  his  Master  called  him  to  this  sac- 
rifice ;  nor  would  his  knees  have  trembled, 
nor  his  look  changed.' 

Thus  relying  upon  God  for  support,  and 
resolved  to  do  his  will,  he  visited  Gilmanton, 
just  before  graduating,  destitute  of  money 
and  poorly  clad  besides  being  to  some  ex- 
tent in  debt.  He  was  about  to  return,  and, 
being  at  Gen.  Badger's,  the  elder,  who  said 
to  him,  "  Samuel,  where  do  you  expect  to 
obtain  your  guinea  ?"  which  was  then  the 
fee  for  Diploma  ;  "  I  do  not  know,  sir," 
he  replied.  The  General  then  requested 
his  daughter  "  to  bring  from  the  desk  a 
guinea  for  Samuel  to  pay  the  President  for 
his  Diploma." 


62  MEMOIR    OF 

Immediately  after,  calling  at  the  house  of 
the  Hon.  Thomas  Cogswell,  the  Judge  said 
to  him,  "  Well  Samuel  you  are  about  to 
graduate  and  I  suppose  you  will  have  some 
small  bills  to  pay  ;  perhaps  this  won't  do 
you  any  hurt,"  and  put  into  his  hands  twen- 
ty dollars. 

He  was  also  presented  by  Mrs.  Cogs- 
well, Smith  and  Badger,  wife  of  the  younger 
Badger,  with  a  suit  of  new  clothes  and  val- 
uable linens  suitable  for  Commencement. 
Thus  he  returned  to  receive  the  honors  of 
the  College,  laden  with  the  rich  experience 
of  God's  goodness.  These  expressions  of 
kindness  awakened  the  liveliest  gratitude  to 
the  Giver  of  every  mercy  and  tended  to 
strengthen  his  faith  in  his  promises. 

He  graduated  August  24th,  1791,  full  of 
zeal  in  his  Master's  cause.  His  bosom 
swelled  with  hope  ;  his  heart  beat  high.  It 
is  true  College  life  is  a  little  '  dream  of  hu- 
man passions  and  human  infirmity  to  many 
young  men.  It  is  the  same  eternal  tract  of 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  63 

disappointment,  over  which  folly  vaults  and 
ambition  staggers  — a  record  of  youthful 
happiness  written  on  a  summer's  leaf,  it 
glitters  for  a  moment  and  fades  away  be- 
neath the  spirit  which  freshens  it  into  beau- 
ty. It  is  a  miniature  arena  in  which  human 
life  first  disports  its  vices,  its  hopes,  and  its 
imaginings — and  if  no  other  knowledge  be 
acquired,  the  collegian  can  look  with  pride 
on  his  acquaintance  with  the  world,  its  fol- 
lies and  its  pleasures,  and  hug  to  his  bosom 
that  kernel  of  truth  which  has  been  wrest- 
ed from  the  hard  husks  of  disappointment/ 
But  it  had  been  more  than  this  to  him.  Ho 
had  learned  to  look  far  down  into  his  own 
heart.  Ho  had  learned  the  chief  end  of 
life.  College  life  had  been  to  him  no  youth- 
ful dream  but  a  reality,  stern  yet  joyful. 
He  had  struggled  with  poverty  ;  yet  he  had 
been  made  rich.  God  hud  wonderfully  pro- 
vided for  his  wants  and  crowned  his  efforts 
with  great  success.  He  resolved  that  God 
should  have  all  the  glory. 


64  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER  III. 

Tamworth —  Charter — First  family — Sec- 
ond—  White  inhabitants — Their  hard- 
ships— Scarcity  of  bread — Wild  animals 
— Sickness — Enterprise — Interest  in  re- 
ligion— Petition — Partcipation  in  the 
War — Interest  in  Education. 

As  the  history  of  Tamworth  is  identified 
with  that  of  Mr.  Hidden  after  his  settlement, 
a  sketch  of  its  early  incidents  seems  indispen- 
sable ;  and  though  it  be  local  in  its  nature, 
it  cannot  fail  to  interest  the  general  reader. 

The  charter  of  Tamworth  was  granted 
1766,  under  the  Provincial  government,  in 
the  sixth  year  of  "  the  reign"  of  Gov.  Ben- 
ning  Wentworth,  under  George  the  Third. 
Col.  Jonathan  Moulton  was  the  original 
Proprietor  of  the  town,  he  having  presented 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  65 

Gov.  Wentworth  with  the  names  of  fifty- 
two  men  who  were  the  Grantees.  "  One 
share,"  or  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  was 
reserved  for  the  Governor — "  One  share  for 
the  Society  for  the  propagation  of  the  gos- 
pel in  foreign  parts;"  "One  share  for  the 
Church  of  England  ;"  "  One  share  for  the 
first  settled  minister  of  the  gospel ;  and  an- 
other for  the  benefit  of  a  school  "  in  said 
town  forever." 

The  town,  owing  to  the  difficulties  of  the 
times,  however,  was  not  settled  until  1776, 
the  first  town  meeting  being  held  on  the 
second  day  of  July,  1777.  At  which  meet- 
ing Ephraim  Hackett  was  chosen  Modera- 
tor, Timothy  Meader  Town  Clerk,  John 
Fowler,  Bradbury  Jewell  and  William 
Eastman  Selectmen.  Other  town  officers 
Were  also  chosen.  This  meeting  was  held 
at  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Ephraim  Hack- 
ett. 

The  first  family  of  whom  the  whites  had 

any  knowledge  was  that  of  one  Sabatis,  an 

5 


66  MEMOIR    OF 

Indian,  having  a  wife  and  five  children. 
He  was  known0  to  men  in  Sandwich  and 
Moultonborough,  and  gave  a  flattering  des- 
cription of  this  then  unexplored  tract  of  land. 

The  second  family  was  half  Indian — the 
mother  being  a  native  of  Canterbury,  whose 
affections  had  been  won  by  the  dusky  inhab- 
itant of  the  forest.  Her  name  is  now  forgot- 
ten, but  it  is  remembered  to  have  been  relat- 
ed that  she  possessed  a  tall,  elegant  figure, 
dark  eyes  and  unrivalled  beauty  of  expres- 
sion. Though  strenuously  opposed  by 
her  fond  parents,  she  resolved  to  link  her 
destiny  with  one  who  loved  to  wander 
amidst  the  solemn  grandeur  of  nature.  This 
family  pitched  their  tent  on  the  land  near 
where  Nath'el  Hubbard's  house  now  stands. 
They  there  planted  apple  seeds  from  which 
several  trees  sprang,  two  or  three  of  which 
are  now  living 

There  were  other  Indians  in  various  parts 
of  the  town  of  whom  nothing  is  definitely 
known  ;  as  soon  however  as  settlements 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  67 

were  made  by  white  men  most  of  them  to- 
gether with  the  two  families  above  mention- 
ed removed  to  the  Androscoggin  River. 

The  first  white  man  who  settled  in  this 
town  was  Mr.  Mark  Jewell,  (1772)  whose 
father  resided  in  Sandwich.  He  settled  on 
what  is  now  called  Stevenson's  Hill,  remov- 
ing about  six  years  after  to  what  is  called 
Birch  Interval.  Mr.  Jewell  is  now  living 
(1842)  in  comparatively  good  health,  aged 
about  89.  His  mental  faculties  retain  an 
unusual  degree  of  vigor.  He  was  married 
to  Ruth  Vittum  of  Sandwich,  1776,  by 
Esquire  Beedy.  Soon  after  Mr.  Jewell's 
settlement  in  Tarnworth,  he  was  followed 
by  his  brother,  Bradbury  Jewell  and  Mr.  Da- 
vid Philbrick,  the  latter  of  whom  was  killed 
by  the  fall  of  a  tree,  leaving  a  wife  and  six 
children  to  mourn  his  loss.  He  settled  on 
what  is  called  the  River  road.  About  this 
lime  several  other  families  settled  near  Bear- 
camp  River  and  in  various  other  parts  of 
the  town. 


68  MEMOIR    OF 

Thus  the  town  was  settled  by  a  few  har- 
dy pioneers.  The  families  were  few  and 
remote  from  each  other.  Their  sufferings 
were  indescribable.  They  lived  in  contin- 
ual anxiety.  The  Indian  lurked  in  every 
hiding  place  ready  to  wreak  his  revenge  on 
the  helpless  and  unoffending.  The  land 
was  pathless — they  found  their  way  from 
one  settlement  to  another  by  spotted  trees, 
over  steep  hills  and  almost  impassable 
swamps.  The  only  road  into  the  town  was 
through  Sandwich  and  Moultonborough  ; 
thence  to  Tuftonborough  and  Dover.  They 
were  obliged  to  perform  the  labor  now  as- 
signed the  ox  and  the  horse,  for  these  were 
rarely  seen.  The  land  was  covered  with  a 
growth  of  sturdy  trees.  The  winters  were 
long  and  severe  ;  the  snows  fell  in  great 
quantities  and  the  frost  came  early  to  blast 
the  fruits  of  their  labor. 

Their  corn  thus  cut  off,  they  were  oblig- 
ed to  procure  provisions  at  great  expense 
and  at  a  great  distance.  They  often  car- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  69 

ried  on  their  backs,  or  on  hand  sleighs,  corn 
and  other  grains  from  Gilmanton  and  Can- 
terbury. One  man,  unable  to  procure  bread 
for  his  wife  and  seven  children,  and  believ- 
ing they  must  perish  with  hunger,  left  home 
in  pursuit  of  corn,  resolving  that  he  would 
never  return  destitute.  He  could  not  see 
the  wife  of  his  bosom  and  children  of  his 
warm  affections,  die  with  famine.  As  he 
left,  he  gave  them  a  warm  embrace,  saying 
that  "  God  would  provide."  He  arrived  at 
Gilmanton,  wearied  and  oppressed,  destitute 
of  money  and  means  of  obtaining  food  for 
his  perishing  family.  But  through  the  kind- 
ness of  friends  he  was  provided  with  two 
bushels  of  corn  with  which  he  returned  with 
incredible  speed.  He  found  his  family  all 
alive  but  suffering  with  excruciating  hunger. 
They  found  access  to  the  contents  of  the 
bag  and  attempted  to  supply  the  demands 
of  nature  with  the  dry  meal.  Often  were 
families  reduced  to  live  on  the  smallest  allow- 
ance of  bread  and  lay  down  at  night  desiring 


70  MEMOIR    OF 

death.  One  woman,  having  put  her  child- 
ren into  their  beds,  went  to  her  neighbor, 
Col.  Mason,  and  said,  "  I  have  put  my 
children  to  bed  to  die  ;"  but  God  preserved 
them. 

In  addition  to  this  they  were  in  constant 
fear  of  ferocious  beasts.  The  wolf  prowled 
about  their  dwellings  by  night ;  the  cata- 
mount watched  for  prey  ;  the  wild-cat  lurk- 
ed by  the  foot  path  and  the  bear  watched 
in  the  thicket.  Domestic  animals  were 
seized — children  terrified  and  mothers  driv- 
en frantic. 

Moreover,  sickness  prevailed  ;  the  mother 
might  be  seen  watching  by  the  bedside  of 
the  sick  by  day  and  by  night  and  at  last 
closing  the  eyes  of  a  beloved  son,  or  dutiful 
daughter ;  single  families  performing  the 
last  sad  offices  to  the  dead  with  none  to 
mingle  a  tear,  or  sooth  the  anguish  of  be- 
reavement. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  embarrassments, 
the  hardy  sons  of  Tamworth  stood,  like  the 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  71 

trees  of  centuries  that  overshadowed  them, 
shaken,  but  not  uprooted.  They  braved  ev- 
ery danger;  endured  every  hardship,  rely- 
ing on  the  God  of  their  life.  "  Stern  men 
were  they  and  true."  They  never  lost  sight 
of  their  great  interests  :  the  trees  were  fell- 
ed ;  roads  were  early  constructed,  and 
bridges  built.  As  early  as  Jan.  24,  1778, 
at  a  Town  Meeting  it  was  voted  to  build 
two  bridges  over  Bearcamp  river  ;  one  at 
the  easterly  end  of  the  town  and  the  other 
at  the  west.  A  committee  was  chosen  to 
carry  into  effect  this  vote,  also  solicit  "  the 
Proprietor's  assistance  therein." 

These  men,  having  early  known  the  val- 
ue of  the  gospel,  earnestly  desired  the  stated 
means  of  grace.  Up  to  1778,  they  had 
enjoyed  preaching  occasionally.  Rev.  Josh- 
ua Nickerson  from  Cape  Cod  was  the  first 
man  who  preached  north  of  the  Lake  Win- 
nepisiogee.  He  preached  in  Moultonbo- 
rough,  Sandwich  and  Tamworth.  He  iden- 
tified himself  with  no  sect,  but  was  esteem- 


72  MEMOIR    OF 

ed  a  very  pious  man.  He  was  of  great 
service  to  the  early  inhabitants  in  sustaining 
a  lively  interest  in  the  cause  of  religion.  It 
would  seem  that  he  had  designed  to  be  set- 
tled as  the  first  Minister  of  the  town  ;  since 
an  article  was  inserted  in  the  warrant  for  the 
annual  Town  Meeting  in  1778,  "  to  see  if 
the  town  would  settle  Joshua  Nickerson  as 
Minister  of  the  town,  or  otherwise  employ 
him."  But  they  unanimously  refused  to 
settle  or  in  any  way  employ  him.  The 
following  petition  to  the  Proprietor  drawn 
up  at  this  meeting  will  show  the  true  state 
of  their  feelings.  After  some  preliminary 
remarks,  the  petition  proceeds  thus  : 

"  The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said 
Tamworth  humbly  showeth,  that  we,  your 
Petitioners,  ever  since  our  settlement  have 
here  had  in  view  the  settlement  of  the  Gos- 
pel Ministry  among  us  whenever  our  cir- 
cumstances and  the  situation  of  the  Town 
would  admit  of  it.  But  our  own  inability 
and  fewness  in  number,  which  we  impute  to 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  73 

the  difficulties  of  the  times,  have  hitherto 
prevented  our  obtaining  any  regular  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel  among  us.  The  same 
difficulties  remaining  will  doubtless  prevent 
our  immediate  increase,  so  that  we  cannot 
expect  a  settled  Ministry,  at  least  till  the 
War  subsides ;  yet  as  it  is  our  duty  howev- 
er small  in  number,  or  embarrassed  with  the 
cares  of  life,  not  to  sink  into  a  supine  stale 
in  respect  to  the  means  of  Religion,  so  we 
have  a  sincere  desire  to  make  all  the  provi- 
sion, in  our  power  for  hiring  of  preaching 
here  for  a  season,  and  beg  leave  to  lay  our 
circumstances  before  you  and  beg  you  would 
consider  our  peculiar  situation  and  incapac- 
ity of  ourselves  to  provide  a  preacher  for 
any  term  of  time,  and  pray  your  kind  help 
and  donation  towards  hiring  preaching  for 
any  time  you  may  think  proper ;  at  the 
same  time  assuring  you  we  shall  ever  be 
ready  to  aid  and  assist  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  full  and  regular  settlement  of 


74  MEMOIR    OF 

your  Township.     And  your  Petitioners  as 
in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray." 

The  above  petition  was  favorably  receiv- 
ed, but,  owing  to  the  peculiar  circumstances 
of  the  times,  they  failed  to  procure  preaching 
for  many  years.  The  War  with  England 
then  prevailed  and  men's  hearts  failed  them, 
for  fear  of  those  things  about  to  come  upon 
them.  The  town  was  frequently  called  up- 
on to  furnish  its  quota  of  men  for  the  conti- 
nental Army,  which  occasioned  great  dis- 
tress among  the  inhabitants.  In  1777,  four 
men  enlisted.  Mr.  Moses  Head  was  the  first. 
He  left  a  wife  and  several  children  to  pro- 
vide for  themselves.  As  he  was  going  out 
of  the  town  he  called  on  Col.  Mason  and 
with  great  agitation  said  to  him,  "  Sir,  I  have 
taken  the  last  look  of  my  dear  wife  and 
children  ;  I  go  to  die  for  my  country  dearer 
than  all  else.  I  pray  you  be  kind  to  them." 
He  soon  fell  a  victim  to  the  merciless  tyran- 
ny of  England.  In  the  same  year  Abial 
and  Phineas  Stevens  and  Isaac  Head  enlisted 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  75 

and  died  in  the  cause  of  their  bleeding  coun- 
try. Others  after  having  fought  for  liberty 
returned  to  the  bosom  of  their  families  to  en- 
joy the  fruits  of  their  toils. 

Under  the  pressure  of  all  these  calamities 
they  did  not  neglect  the  education  of  their 
children.  These  were  taught  by  their  moth- 
ers at  the  fireside.  The  Catechism  was  ear- 
ly committed  to  memory  as  well  as  portions 
of  the  sacred  Scriptures.  They  were 
taught  to  respect  their  superiors  and  to  rev- 
erence God.  They  availed  themselves  of 
such  other  instruction  as  could  be  obtained. 
As  early  as  1782,  at  a  Town  Meeting  it 
was  voted  to  build  two  school  houses — one 
near  where  Mr.  Jabez  Page's  house  now 
stands,  and  the  other  near  the  house  of  Mr. 
Henry  Remick.  The  first  school  master 
was  Elijah  Hutchinson  of  Gilmanton.  Af- 
ter this  period  school  houses  were  rapidly 
multiplied,  the  population  and  prosperity  of 
the  town  having  greatly  increased,  though 


76  MEMOIR    OF 

as  late  as  1778,  only  twenty-two  votes  were 
cast  for  Governor. 

Between  1778  and  1786,  the  town  took 
no  public  measures  to  procure  the  stated 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  But  March  4th, 
1783,  it  was  "  voted  to  raise  fifteen  pounds 
for  preaching  some  part  of  the  year," 
though  in  November  of  the  same  year,  it 
was  "  voted  not  to  raise  said  sum."  Two 
years  after,  March  10th,  1789,  it  was  "  voted 
to  raise  twenty  pounds  for  preaching  to  be 
paid  in  produce."  But  it  does  not  appear 
that  any  money  was  ever  directly  raised  for 
preaching  until  1792. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  I  i 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Mr.  Hidden  returns  to  Gilmanton — Studies 
Theology — State  of  his  mind — Doctrine 
of  Free  Grace — Extract  of  Mr.  Smith's 
letter  —  Licensed  —  Call  —  Arrives  at 
Tamworth  —  First  Sabbath — Simplicity 
of  the  people — Proposals  for  settlement — 
Accepts — Greatly  beloved. 

Having  taken  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts,  August  24,  1791,  at  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, Mr.  Hidden  returned  to  Gilmanton  and 
immediately  entered  upon  the  study  of  The- 
ology with  Rev.  Isaac  Smith,  his  former  in- 
structor. This  opened  to  his  mind  a  new 
Geld  of  thought  and  investigation.  He  pros- 
ecuted this  study  with  his  characteristic  vig- 
or. He  grasped  subjects  most  abstruse  and 
difficult  with  an  energy  that  astonished  his 


78  MEMOIR    OF 

teacher.  Doctrines  which  others  could  un- 
derstand only  by  close  investigation  he  un- 
derstood almost  by  intuition  and  was  able  to 
explain  difficult  points  with  great  perspic- 
uity. 

The  state  of  his  mind  on  entering  the 
study  of  Theology  may  be  best  learned  from 
a  scrap  of  his  own  writings. 

"  Sept.  1691.  I  have  now  commenced 
the  study  of  Theology.  And  what  a  study  ! 
I  tremble  at  the  thought !  Shall  I  so  vile 
and  unworthy  attempt  to  find  out  God, — his 
character  and  attributes  ?  Is  not  the  thought 
rash  ?  Forgive  me,  gracious  God.  I  pros- 
trate my  soul  before  thee,  humbled  in  the 
dust !  If  Moses  trembled  well  may  I  I 
Yet  thou  dost  condescend  to  let  thy  charac- 
ter be  known.  Oh  what  condescension  ! 
Jesus,  this  is  for  thy  sake.  Thou  hast  made 
it  consistent  for  God  to  reveal  himself  in 
mercy.  Oh  what  a  debt  of  gratitude  I  owe 
thee.  I  give  myself  to  thee.  Accept  me 
all  unworthy.  Teach  me  the  path  of  duty. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  79 

Enlighten  my  understanding.  Humble  my 
heart.  Make  me  just  what  them  wouldest 
have  me  to  be,  and  I  will  praise  thy  name  ; 
I  will  speak  of  thy  truth  ;  '  I  will  teach 
transgressors  thy  ways  and  sinners  shall  be 
converted  unto  thee.'  I  will  never  attempt 
to  investigate  any  subject  until  I  have  im- 
plored thy  aid.  I  will  not  lean  upon  my 
own  strength  ;  for  I  have  none.  I  will  ev- 
ery morning  and  evening  enter  my  closet 
and  hold  communion  with  thee.  Every 
hour  will  I  bless  thee.  Jesus,  Jesus,  guide 
me.  Uphold  me  lest  I  fall  !  Let  me  not 
be  presumptuous." 

The  above  gives  us  an  insight  into  the  se- 
cret of  his  heart.  It  shows  the  overflowings 
of  a  soul  "  humbled  into  the  dust ;"  his 
strong  aspirations  for  a  close  and  more  inti- 
mate walk  with  Christ,  and  for  the  assistance, 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Another  scrap  is. found  bearing  date,  De- 
cember. Nothing  more  is  known  of  the 
time  when  it  was  written  :  but  it  would  seem 


80  MEMOIR    OF 

probable  that   it   was    written    December, 
1791. 

"  December.  I  have  just  been  examining 
the  Doctrine  of  Free  Grace.  Never  did  it 
appear  in  so  clear  a  light.  I  see  through  it 
now.  And  what  a  glorious  doctrine  !  Glo- 
rious in  God,  but  humiliating  to  man  !  Is  man 
so  fallen  !  Has  he  stooped  so  low  !  Yes, 
blessed  Jesus  !  And  thou  hast  raised  him 
up  !  Oh,  what  love  !  Angels,  proclaim  it. 
Chant  it,  ye  celestial  choirs  !  Let  all  heav- 
en and  hell  proclaim  that  man's  salvation  is 
a  free  Gift.  Not  that  we  loved  God  but 
that  God  first  loved  us.  This  is  the  great 
secret.  Then  what  have  I  to  boast  ? 
Alas  1  I  deserve  the  hotest  hell.  And  yet 
my  cruel  heart  has  rebelled  against  this  doc- 
trine so  obviously  taught  in  the  blessed  Bi- 
ble. I  have  tried  to  find  worthiness  in  my- 
self and  to  obtain  salvation  by  keeping  the 
law.  But  there  is  not  a  law  I  have  not  vi- 
olated and  tried  by  which  I  must  be  con- 
demned forever :  and  this  condemnation 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  81 

would  be  just.  Yes,  I  should  proclaim  it  so 
amidst  the  torments  of  the  damned  !  Noth- 
ing can  I  now  do  to  gain  the  favor  of  Heav- 
en ;  the  law  is  broken  ;  I  am  condemned. 
But  I  see  a  way  of  escape  through  the  Atone- 
ment of  Christ.  And  how  my  heart  will 
burst  for  joy  !  Oh  !  what  joy.  Salvation — 
free  salvation,  is  bought  by  Christ !  How 
sweet  the  words — Free  Salvation  !  Never 
did  the  plan  of  Salvation  appear  so  stupen- 
dous, so  glorious.  Loud  will  I  proclaim  it — 
Free  salvation  bought  by  Jesus'  blood  !" 

Those  who  were  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Hidden  in  his  later  years  will  not  fail  to  re- 
cognize the  ab,ove  as  gushing  from  the  same 
full  soul  which  gave  utterance  to  his  fervid 
ejaculations  in  the  pulpit  as  well  as  in  pri- 
vate conversation.  They  are  the  outpour- 
ings of  genuine  feeling.  They  are  undis- 
guised sentiments  —  warm — melting — ten- 
der. The  effusions  of  a  contrite  soul. 

The   following  extract  of  a  letter  written 

by  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  Nov.  13,  1791,  will  show 
6 


82  MEMOIR    OF 

in  what  estimation  Mr.  Hidden  was  held  by 
his  valued  teacher. 

"You  ask  for  a  description  of  Samuel  Hid- 
den :  I  would  therefore  say  that  he  is  a  young 
man  of  the  first  order  of  intellects — his  per- 
ception is  quick — his  judgment  sound  ;  his 
imagination  lively  ;  his  sensibilities  warm  ; 
his  soul  is  alive  to  devotion  ;  he  is  cheerful, 
gay,  sober,  merry,  grave.  He  is  kind-heart- 
ed, passionate,  gentle  ;  and  in  short,  he  is  a 
real  apostle,  becoming  all  things  to  all  men. 
In  his  studies  he  has  made  rapid  progress  ; 
he  grasps  the  most  difficult  subjects  with 
Herculean  strength  and  sees  through  every 
thing  almost  intuitively.  He  is  destined  to 
do  great  good  in  the  church  of  Christ.  The 
spirit  of  Christ  appears  to  be  in  him." 

A  versatility  of  mind  was  a  prominent  char- 
acteristic of  Mr.  Hidden  through  life.  Said 
an  aged  man  to  the  memorialist,  "  I  once 
met  Mr.  Hidden  after  he  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth College,  at  Hon.  Thomas  Cogs- 
well's. At  first,  being  told  he  was  a  student 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  8J> 

of  Divinity,  I  was  quite  disgusted  with  him  : 
his  laugh  was  so  boisterous,  as  I  thought, 
and  he  talked  so  readily  upon  all  subjects — 
music,  tactics,  war,  love,  death  and  mar- 
riages. But  when  I  heard  him  talk  of  the 
Bible,  its  doctrines,  its  promises  and  threat- 
nings,  my  disgust  was  changed  to  admiration. 
When  he  prayed  he  carried  us  all  up  to  heav- 
en and  we  seemed  to  hear  the  songs  of  an- 
gels. When  he  sung,  his  countenance 
beamed  with  delight  and  his  eye  sparkled 
with  joy.  You  would  have  thought  you 
saw  his  soul  looking  out  its  windows.  Won- 
derful man  !  said  I  to  myself.  He  was  just 
such  a  man  as  my  imagination  had  pictured, 
but  whom  T  had  despaired  of  seeing.  I 
would  go  on  Pilgrimage  to  Mecca  if  I  could 
see  another  such." 

Such  had  been  Mr.  Hidden's  proficiency 
in  Theology  that  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
at  Kingston,  Oct.  4th,  1791.  The  follow- 
ing is  his  license  : 

><  Mr.  Samuel  Hidden  having  offered  him* 


84  MEMOIR    OF 

self  to  an  examination  for  an  approbation  for 
preaching  the  gospel,  we,  the  subspribers, 
having  carefully  attended  to  his  sentiments, 
his  knowledge  in  divinity  and  religious  expe- 
rience, are  satisfied,  and  cordially  recom- 
mend him  to  the  Church  wherever  God  in 
his  providence  shall  be  pleased  to  call  him." 
This  is  signed  by  Nathaniel  Noyes,  Elisha 
Thayer,  Isaac  Smith,  Curtis  Coe,  Christo- 
pher Paige,  Jedediah  Tucker  and  Jesse 
Rennington. 

He  preached  his  first  sermon  to  Rev.  Mr, 
Smith's  congregation  and  is  related  to  have 
made  the  whole  congregation  weep  profuse- 
ly. While  he  remained  in  Gilmanton  he 
preached  occasionally  in  various  parts  of  the 
town,  generally  however,  at  the  house  of 
Philbrick  Rand,  in  that  part  of  the  town  now 
called  Gilford. 

Such  was  Mr.  Hidden's  character  and  the 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  towards  the 
latter  part  of  December,  1791,  when  after 
having  spent  most  of  one  night  in  meditation 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  85 

and  prayer  for  God's  direction  in  his  future 
course,  he  fell  asleep  and  dreamed  that  two 
men  called  on  him  to  employ  him  to  preach, 
and  he  complied.  He  recollected  distinct- 
ly the  circumstances  of  the  place  and  the 
character  of  the  people.  This  dream  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  his  mind  ;  he  regard- 
ed it  as  an  intimation  from  God.  About 
this  time  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  town  in 
Tamworth  a  committee  was  chosen  to  pro- 
cure preaching  and  this  committee,  having 
heard  of  Mr.  Hidden  by  means  of  the  Hon. 
Thomas  Cogswell  of  Gilmanton,  who  had 
now  become  an  extensive  land-holder  in 
Tamworth,  proceeded  directly  to  Gilmanton 
to  secure  his  services.  He  consented  to  re- 
turn with  them.  On  arriving  in  Tamworth 
every  thing  appeared  natural ;  the  situation 
of  the  place,  the  character  of  the  people,  all 
corresponded  with  his  dream. 

He  arrived  in  Tamworth  on  Saturday  and 
preached  the  next  day,  being  the  fifteenth  of 
January,  1792,  in  Mr.  William  Eastman's 


86  MEMOIR    OF 

dwelling  house.  He  preached  in  the  fore- 
noon from  Acts  10:  29.  "  Therefore  came 
I  unto  you  without  gainsaying,  as  soon  as 
I  was  sent  for :  I  ask  therefore  for  what  in- 
tent ye  have  sent  for  me  ?  "  In  the  after- 
noon he  preached  from  John  1  :  13. 
"  Which  were  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the 
will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but 
of  God."  Previous  to  this  many  were  prej- 
udiced against  a  "  College  learned  man" 
and  "  resolved  not  to  like  him."  The  wife 
of  Mr.  William  Eastman,  when  she  saw 
him  coming,  said,  "  she  had  as  lief  see  the 
Devil,"  though  she  was  ever  after  his  warm- 
est friend.  Mr.  Hidden  at  once  gained  the 
admiration  of  every  hearer.  All  were  en- 
thusiastic in  his  praise.  This  was  a  new 
epoch  in  his  life.  The  town  was  sparsedly 
settled  and  the  inhabitants  were  rudely  dress- 
ed and  more  rude  in  manners. 

"  Here  was  seen 

No  trace  of  man's  pomp  or  pride ;  no  silks 
Rustl'd,  no  jewels  shone,  nor  envious  eyes 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  87 

Encounter 'd  ;  no  fantastic  carvings  show'd 
The  boast  of  our  vain  race  to  change  the  form 
Of  God's  fair  works." 

As  he  looked  around  the  room  crowded  with 
listening  spectators,  he  saw  the  women 
dressed  in  long  waisted  gowns  with  strait 
sleeves  and  checkered  aprons,  all  of  domes- 
tic manufacture,  and  the  men  clothed  with 
materials  of  the  same  character  ;  the  shape 
of  whose  garments  it  would  be  impossible 
to  describe  ;  but  they  were  such  as  to  give 
them  a  grotesque  appearance.  Capt.  Geo. 
Dodge  and  lady  were,  however,  exceptions ; 
he  having  breeches  and  long  stockings  and 
other  garments  of  more  costly  material ;  and 
she  having  what  was  called  a  "  white  Hol- 
land" apron.  Notwithstanding  the  contrast 
between  these  men  and  those  with  whom  he 
had  resided,  he  felt  at  home  ;  that  here  was 
a  field  for  usefulness,  and  men  were  perish- 
ing for  want  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  He 
felt  strengthened  and  blessed.  "  Never," 
said  he,  "  did  I  feel  happier  than  on  that 


88  MEMOIR  or 

day."  He  continued  to  preach  with  signal 
success  in  private  houses,  or  barns,  until 
March  13,  1792,  when  in  the  annual  Town 
Meeting,  it  was  proposed  to  settle  him  as 
the  Minister  of  the  town.  The  following 
is  a  copy  of  the  transaction  of  the  town  in 
relation  to  this  subject. 

"  Voted,  That  it  is  the  unanimous  de- 
sire of  the  Inhabitants  of  Tamworth  to  set- 
tle Mr.  Samuel  Hidden  in  the  Ministry  in 
this  Town,  provided  it  can  be  done  upon 
such  terms  as  they  think  themselves  able  to 
comply  with. 

Voted,  That  a  committee  be  chosen  con- 
sisting of  fifteen  persons  to  inform  Mr.  Hid- 
den of  the  minds  of  the  Town,  and  to 
know  of  him  if  he  will  settle  with  us  if  rea- 
sonable proposals  be  made  and  to  invite  him, 
(in  case  he  should  give  encouragement,)  to 
preach  with  us  a  certain  time,  and  in  the 
mean  time  to  draw  up  some  proposals  to 
make  to  said  Hidden  and  report  to  tlje 
Town  when  met," 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  89 

Said  Committee  met  and  agreed  that  the 
following  proposals  be  laid  before  the 
Town. 

1st.  "  To  build  a  house  for  Mr.  Samuel 
Hidden  one  story  high  of  28  and  38,  or  30 
and  40  feet  as  said  Hidden  shall  think  best, 
and  to  clapboard,  glaze,  shingle,  build  a 
stack  of  chimnies  with  four  smokes,  dig  a 
cellar  under  one  end  of  said  house,  and  fin- 
ish one  half  of  said  house  in  two  years  from 
December,  1791. 

2d.  That  thirty  three  pounds  lawful 
money  be  the  sum  offered  to  Mr  Hidden  for 
his  yearly  support — three  pounds  of  the 
same  to  be  paid  in  cash — fifteen  pounds  in 
good  merchantable  beef  at  eighteen  shillings 
per  hundred,  and  fifteen  pounds  lawful 
money  in  merchantable  corn  at  three  shill- 
ings, rye  at  four,  and  wheat  five  shillings  the 
bushel  ;  the  above  sums  in  produce,  cash 
and  beef,  to  be  paid  yearly  for  three  years  : 
These  expired,  then  said  Hidden's  salary  is  to 
be  raised  yearly  as  the  Town  may  increase 


90  MEMOIR    OF 

according  to  polls  and  estates  that  may  be 
liable  to  be  taxed  for  the  support  of  said 
Hidden  as  the  present  Inhabitants  are  now 
taxed  including  what  polls  and  estates  may 
be  added  in  the  aforesaid  three  years  till  it 
amounts  to  fifty  pounds ;  three  pounds  of 
the  fifty  to  be  paid  in  cash ;  twenty  three 
pounds  ten  shillings  in  good  merchantable 
beef  and  the  remaining  twenty  three  pounds 
ten  shillings  to  be  paid  in  good  merchanta- 
ble Indian  corn,  rye  and  wheat. 

3d.  That  when  the  above  tax  amounts 
to  fifty  pounds  that  then  said  Hidden 's  sala- 
ry to  stand  fixed  and  to  be  paid  in  cash, 
produce,  and  beef  at  the  prices  as  mention- 
ed above,  yearly." 

The  above  is  signed  by  David  Oilman  for 
the  Committee- 

"  April  2,  1792.  In  annual  Town  Meet- 
ing on  adjournment, 

Voted,  Unanimously  to  accept  the  report 
of  their  Committee  respecting  settling  Mr. 
Samuel  Hidden." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  91 

At  a  previous  meeting  they  had  voted  to 
"  raise  money  to  pay  Mr.  Samuel  Hidden  for 
what  he  had  preached  and  that  the  above 
named  Committee,  (if  Mr.  Hidden  should 
accept,)  should  make  provisions  for  his  Or- 
dination" and  "  carry  the  whole  matter 
through."  And  in  a  subsequent  Town 
Meeting,  May  7,  1792,  it  was  voted  to  give 
"  up  all  the  right  that  they  have  unto  the 
Right  of  Land  granted  in  the  Charter  of 
Tamworth  to  the  first  settled  Minister  in 
said  Town,  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hidden  to  be 
his  own  property  as  soon  as  he  is  ordained 
here."  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  also 
"  voted  that  Mr.  Hidden's  salary  shall  be 
continued  no  longer  than  he  is  the  Minister 
of  this  Town." 

Previous  to  the  town's  call  to  Mr.  Hid- 
den it  had  been  made  a  subject  of  devout 
prayer  to  God  for  counsel.  This  call  was 
not  given  under  some  spasmodic  influence 
but  from  the  sincere  and  deliberate  convic- 
tion that  God  had  so  ordered  things  as  to 


92  MEMOIR    OF 

make  it  evident  that  Mr.  Hidden  should  be 
their  spiritual  guide.  They  longed  for  one 
in  whom  they  could  confide  and  from  whom 
they  might  derive  instruction  and  conso- 
lation. They  conceived  him  adapted 
to  their  circumstances.  He  also  felt  the 
solemnity  of  the  anticipated  relation  and 
commended  the  subject  to  God  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  Many  and  weighty  were  the  in- 
ducements to  decline  the  call.  But  the 
feeling  that  God  designed  him  to  labor  in 
this  field  pervaded  his  bosom.  He  was  of^ 
ten  heard  to  say,  his  dream,  (though  the  in- 
credulous may  smile  at  it,)  had  more  influ- 
ence in  gaining  his  assent  than  all  else. 
Consequently  May  8,  1792,  he  made  known 
his  acceptance  of  the  town's  call  in  the  fol- 
lowing communication. 
"  To  the  inhabitants  of  Tamworth  : 

You  have  thought  it  expedient,  after  ma-< 
ture  considerations  and  earnest  prayer  to 
God,  as  I  trust,  to  give  me  an  invitation  to 
settle  with  you  in  the  gospel  ministry ;  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  93 

have  voted  certain  things  for  my  encourage- 
ment and  support  in  that  important  office. 
I  am  conscious  of  inability  rightly  to  con- 
duct in  so  important  a  station.  But  that 
God,  by  whose  remarkable  Providence  I 
am  what  I  am,  I  have  no  reason  to  distrust ; 
on  his  mercy  I  wish  to  rely  for  strength  to 
discharge  what  he  in  his  Providence  may 
call  me  to  perform.  After  serious  consider- 
ation and  earnest  prayer  to  Almighty  God 
for  direction,  I  have  thought  fit  and  do  here- 
by accept  of  your  proposals,  if  there  is  a 
church  peaceably  formed.  As  I  live  at  con- 
siderable distance  from  my  friends,  I  would 
reserve  four  Sabbaths  in  a  year  to  visit  them, 
if  I  please.  Also  if  I  am  taken  sick  while 
laboring  among  you,  you  must  still  grant 
me  my  support  until  I  am  again  able  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  my  office.  You  are 
sensible,  my  friends,  the  duties  of  a  minister 
are  great  and  important ;  therefore  I  hope 
you  will  be  ever  ready  to  assist  me,  by 
punctuality  in  payment,  advice  in  difficult 


94  MEMOIR    OF 

cases,  and  by  your  constant  attendance  on 
God's  preached  word  and  ordinances,  and 
your  constant,  fervent  prayer,  that  I  may 
be  faithful  to  God,  to  myself,  to  your  souls 
and  those  of  your  children  ;  that  we  may 
all  appear  at  God's  right  hand,  in  the  day 
when  he  maketh  up  his  jewels. 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN. 

May  the  8th,  1792." 

These  conditions  were  agreed  upon  and 
the  twelfth  of  September  next  was  appoint- 
ed for  his  Ordination.  Mr.  Hidden  contin- 
ued to  preach,  twining  the  affections  of  the 
people  about  him  still  closer.  Never  did  a 
people  love  more  their  spiritual  guide  ;  nev- 
er place  more  implicit  confidence  in  any 
mortal.  They  would  have  plucked  out 
their  eyes  for  him.  Said  an  aged,  venerable 
man  to  the  memorialist,  "  We  would  all 
have  surrendered  our  lives  for  him.  We 
loved  him  next  to  Jesus  Christ.  I  verily 
believe  he  could  have  made  no  demand 
which  we  should  not  have  cheerfully  grant- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  95 

ed."  Thus  the  people  sustained  him  by 
their  prayers  and  affections.  They  were 
impatient  for  the  time  when  they  might  call 
him  their  pastor.  They  were  feasted  with 
his  preaching  and  delighted  with  his  conver- 
sation. His  word  was  their  law  from  which 
none  appealed. 


96  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  day  of  his  ordination — Great  Rock — 
The  Council —  Church  formed —  Contro- 
versy— Proceed  to  the  ordination — Ex- 
tracts from  letters — First  Church  meet- 
ing— The  Sacrament — His  marriage — 
Intercourse  with  his  people — Meeting 
house — Prayer  meeting — Revival. 

The  ordination  of  Mr.  Hidden  took  place 
September  12th,  1792.  This  was  one  of 
those  rich,  mellow  days  of  September  when 
nature  seems  in  a  thoughtful,  but  happy 
mood  ;  when  the  feelings  of  man  corres- 
pond with  the  aspect  of  nature.  The 
foliage  was  slightly  tinged  with  autumnal 
hues.  The  sun  on  that  eventful  day  rose 
with  unusual  splendor  ;  his  rays  gilded  the 
tops  of  the  surrounding  mountains  and  darted 


SAMUEL,    HIDDEN.  97 

through  the  almost  impenetrable  forest, 
awakening  joy  in  many  a  heart.  For  this 
was  a  gala-day  to  the  inhabitants  of  Tarn- 
worth.  All  was  life  and  animation.  The 
grove  resounded  with  the  voice  of  gladness. 
The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  were 
glad  and  the  desert  began  to  blossom  as  the 
rose.  Early  in  the  morning  of  that  day 
might  be  seen  some  farmer  from  Fryeburgh 
with  his  wife  and  one  or  two  children  on 
his  faithful  steed,  winding  their  way  along 
some  foot  path  guided  by  spotted  trees  and 
other  indications,  towards  the  centre  of  the 
town  ;  young  lads  in  all  the  buoyancy  of 
youth  ;  elderly  men  whose  heads  had  been 
whitened  by  the  frosts  of  many  winters ; 
mothers  with  their  smiling  daughters  dressed 
in  their  best  attire  of  domestic  manufacture. 
Many  walked  ten  and  even  fifteen  miles  from 
Conway,  Eaton,  Ossipee,  Sandwich  and 
Moullonborough  to  witness  the  novel,  but 
solemn  scene  of  an  Ordination.  Near  the 

place  where  the  Meeting  House  now  stands 

7 


98  MEMOIR    OP 

is  a  large  rock  about  thirty  feet  square  and 
fifteen  feet  high.  The  surface  is  almost 
level.  On  this  it  was  resolved  that  Mr. 
Hidden  should  be  ordained,  since  there  was 
no  Meeting  House  ;  nor  any  building  suf- 
ficiently large  to  convene  the  crowds  that  as- 
sembled. In  fact,  there  was  but  one  house 
within  any  considerable  distance  from  the 
place.  It  was  a  dense  forest  on  every  hand 
with  only  here  and  there  an  opening. 
Around  this  rock  the  multitude  assembled, 
eager  to  witness  the  ceremony.  But  a  dif- 
ficulty arose  which  occasioned  much  delay. 
A  Council  had  been  invited,  consisting  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Smith  of  Oilman  ton,  Shaw  of 
Moultonborough,  Williams  of  Meredith, 
Porter  of  Conway,  Piper  of  Wakefield  and 
Coe  of  Durham.  Up  to  this  day  no  church 
had  been  formed.  There  were  several  pi- 
ous individuals  in  the  town  of  different  re- 
ligious persuasions — Congregationalists,  Cal- 
vinistic  Baptists  and  Free-Will  Baptists. 
And  the  only  difficulty  in  the  formation  of  a 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  99 

church  consisted  in  the  rite  of  Baptism. 
They  were  all  united  in  other  points.  But 
Mr.  Hidden  drew  up  the  following  article 
of  Covenant  in  addition  to  others  which 
met  the  cordial  approbation  of  all. 

"  4th.  But  willing  to  exercise  all  due 
candor  and  benevolence  in  condescension  to 
each  other's  infirmities,  we  now  unanimous- 
ly agree  that  if  any  of  our  members  think  it 
their  duty  to  present  their  children  to  God 
in  the  ordinance  of  Baptism,  or  think  it  not 
their  duty  to  present  their  children  in  this 
ordinance,  neither  of  them  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  offenders  for  acting  agreeably  to 
the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences  in  this 
respect,  and  that  Baptism  by  Immersion,  by 
Sprinkling,  Affusion,  or  Washing,  shall  be 
no  bar  to  our  Christian  communion  and  fel- 
lowship ;  we  also  agree  and  covenant  that 
children  who  are  devoted  to  God  and  his 
people  in  this  holy  ordinance,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  under  the  parental  care  and  sub- 


100  MEMOIR    OP 

ject  to  the  discipline  and  government  of  the 
Church." 

Nineteen  this  day  subscribed  to  the  arti- 
cles of  Faith  and  Covenant ;  others  had  not 
removed  their  connection  with  other  church- 
es but  stood  pledged  so  to  do.  Thus  the 
church  was  formed,  consisting  of  thirteen 
males  and  six  females.  But  the  Council  re- 
fused to  ordain  Mr.  Hidden  in  consequence 
of  this  article  of  Covenant  in  relation  to 
Baptism.  They  were  strenuously  opposed 
to  it  and  insisted  upon  its  being  given  up; 
but  the  church  and  people  as  strenuously  re- 
fused. The  Council  first  met  at  Capt. 
Dodge's  house  but  this  being  wanted  for 
other  purposes  and  too  small  to  accommo- 
date them  and  others  who  came  to  consult 
with  them,  they  adjourned  to  Capt.  Dodge's 
orchard.  Long  were  the  debates ; — the 
whole  town  were  there  determined  that  Mr. 
Hidden  should  be  ordained.  Mr.  Coe  how- 
ever was  in  favor  of  proceeding  to  the  ordi- 
nation and  exerted  all  his  influence  to  pre- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  101 

vail  on  the  rest  of  the  Council.  At  length 
Mrs.  William  Eastman,  (who  when  she  first 
saw  Mr.  Hidden,  said  she  had  as  lief  see 
the  Devil,)  came  into  the  Council  and  de- 
clared with  great  energy  and  decision 
"  Mr.  Hidden  shall  be  ordained  this  day." 
At  a  late  hour  in  the  day  it  was  announced 
to  the  people  that  the  Council  had  consented 
to  proceed  to  the  ordination.  The  joy  at 
this  announcement  was  unbounded.  Said 
an  eye  witness,  "  The  air  was  filled  with 
joyful  acclamations.  The  people  kneeled 
on  the  ground  and  gave  thanks  to  God. 
Tears  of  gladness  flowed  copiously  and  the 
hour  was  one  of  unalloyed  happiness.  I 
have  never  witnessed  such  a  scene  since 
and  never  expect  to  another  until  I  get  to 
heaven." 

-'  The  groves  were   God's  first  temples.     Ere   man 

learned 

To  hew  the  shaft,  and  lay  the  architrave, 
And  spread  the  roof  above  them, — ere  he  framed 
The  lofty  vault,  to  gather  and  roll  back 


102  MEMOIR  or 

The  sounds  of  anthems, — in  the  darkling  wood, 
Amidst  the  cool  and  silence,  he  knelt  down 
And  offered  to  the  Mightiest  solemn  thanks 
And  supplication." 

The  Council  with  Mr.  Hidden  ascended 
the  rock  where  a  table  and  seats  were  pre- 
pared while  the  eager  multitude  stood  in  si- 
lence around  to  witness  the  novel  ceremony. 
The  services  were  brief,  the  day  being  so 
far  spent.  Mr.  Porter  offered  the  first 
prayer,  Mr.  Smith  preached  the  sermon,  Mr. 
Shaw  gave  the  Charge,  Mr.  Coe  the  Right 
hand  of  Fellowship  and  Mr.  Williams  made 
the  concluding  prayer.* 

The  following  letter,  found  between  the 
leaves  of  an  old  sermon  and  in  which  no 
name  is  found,  it  being  much  mutilated,  will 
serve  to  throw  some  light  upon  this  occasion, 
and  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting.  It  bears 

*  It  is  little  remarkable  that  that  part  of  the  rock 
on  which  Mr.  Williams  stood  fell  off,  since  the  found- 
ation on  which  he  built  his  hopes  for  heaven  soon  after 
proved  like  the  rock,  insecure. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  103 

date,  "  Durham,  Sept.  27,  1792."  After 
stating  some  circumstances  relative  to  the 
ordination  the  letter  proceeds  ; — 

"  Now,  Sir,  I  will  tell  you  about  the  ordi- 
Qation :  and  yet  I  know  not  where  to  begin 
or  what  to  say  ;  it  defies  description.  Af- 
ter much  wrangling  between  the  Council  and 
the  people,  Mr.  Hidden  was  ordained  on  a 
large  rock  on  which  fifty  men  might  stand. 
His  foundation  must  be  secure,  and  solid ; 
for  this  rock  will  stand  till  Gabriel 
shall  divide  it  with  the  power  of  God. 
Early  in  the  morning  the  people  assembled 
around  this  rock,  men,  women,  boys  and 
girls  together  with  dogs  and  other  domestic 
animals.  It  is  an  entire  forest  about  this 
place  The  scenery  is  wild.  On  the  north 
is  a  high  hill  and  north  of  this  is  the  moun- 
tain called  Chocorua  which  touches  heaven. 
On  the  south  and  in  all  directions  are  moun- 
tains, steep  and  rugged.  I  had  expected 
to  have  heard  the  howling  of  the  wolf  and 
the  screeching  of  the  owl :  but  instead  oi 


104  MEMOIR  or 

these  were  heard  the  melting  notes  of  the 
Robin  and  the  chirping  of  the  Sparrow  and 
other  birds  that  made  the  forest  seem  like 
Paradise.  The  men  looked  happy,  rugged, 
and  fearless  ;  their  trowsers  came  down  to 
about  half  way  between  the  knee  and  ankle ; 
their  coats  were  mostly  short  and  of  name- 
less shapes.  Many  wore  slouched  hats,  and 
hundreds  were  shoeless.  The  women  look- 
ed ruddy  and  as  though  they  loved  their 
husbands  ;  their  clothing  was  all  of  domes- 
tic manufacture — Every  woman  had  on  a 
checkered  linen  apron  and  carried  a  clean 
linen  handkerchief.  Their  bonnets  !  Well, 
I  cannot  describe  them  ;  I  leave  them  to 
your  imagination.  But  think  of  the  grand- 
eur of  the  scene.  A  great  rock  the  pulpit, 
the  whole  town  the  floor  of  the  house  and 
the  canopy  of  heaven  the  roof,  and  the  tall, 
sturdy  trees  the  walls  !  Who  could  help 
being  devotional  ?  This  is  the  place  nature 
has  formed  for  pure  worship.  Long  shall 
this  rock  stand  like  the  rock  on  which  our 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  105 

fathers  landed.  Long  may  these  woods  re- 
sound with  the  praises  of  Jehovah.  Long 
may  this  Church  make  the  wilderness  and 
the  solitary  place  glad  and  the  desert  blos- 
som as  the  rose." 

"  Father,  thy  hand 

Hath  reared  these  venerable  columns  ;  thou 
Didst  weave  this  verdant  roof.     Thou  didst  look  down 
Upon  the  naked  earth,  and  forthwith,  rose 
All  these  fair  ranks  of  trees.     They  in  thy  sun 
Budded  and  shook  their  green  leaves  in  thy  breeze, 
And  shot  towards  heaven.     They  stand  tall  and  dark, 
Fit  shrine  for  humble  worshipper  to  hold 
Communion  with  his  Maker." 

Mr.  Hidden,  thus  constituted  the  spiritu- 
al guide  of  his  little  flock  and  the  teacher 
of  the  whole  town  felt  deeply  the  responsi- 
bilities that  rested  upon  him  ;  but  he  .sunk 
not  under  them.  He  viewed  the  Christian 
warfare  a  delightful  one.  He  longed  to  be 
the  means  under  God  of  saving  souls  and 
looked  forward  to  a  life  of  usefulness.  In  a 
letter  to  a  friend  immediately  after  his  ordi- 
nation he  describes  his  feelings  thus  : 


106  MEMOIR    OF 

"  I  was  last  week  ordained  as  pastor  of 
this  infant  church  and  Minister  of  the  town. 
You  cannot  imagine  how  small  I  feel.  Had 
not  Jesus  promised  to  be  with  his  servants 
to  the  end  of  time  I  should  sink  under  the 
weight  of  responsibilities  which  press  upon 
me.  But  thanks  to  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  helping  me,  1  can  do  all  things. 
When  I  think  of  him  I  stand  firm  as  a  rock. 
All  the  gates  of  hell  cannot  prevail  against 
me.  Oh,  what  consolation  in  Christ !  I 
never  felt  the  blessedness  of  the  gospel  so 
much  as  while  preaching  it  to  others.  Here 
are  souls  destined  for  eternity.  They  must 
be  saved  by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  or 
go  down  to  hell !  I  preached  last  Sabbath 
to  an  attentive  assembly.  They  were  eager 
to  catch  every  word.  1  felt  that  God 
strengthened  rne  to  proclaim  his  word.  I 
know  that  the  Spirit  of  Christ  is  here  and 
believe  that  he  is  about  to  visit  this  people  . 
in  mercy.  May  showers  of  grace  descend. 
How  happy  I  should  be  if  all  these  immortal 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  107 

souls  could  speedily  be  brought  into  the 
fold  of  Christ.  I  am  more  and  more  pleased 
with  my  people.  They  are  kind  hearted 
and  ready  to  do  every  thing  for  my  comfort. 
The  Lord  will  reward  them.  I  will  pray 
for  them  with  my  latest  breath.  Do  you 
pray  for  me  that  I  may  prove  a  blessing  to 
this  people." 

This  letter  shows  a  heart  deeply  humbled 
but  overflowing  with  love  to  souls.  He  had 
felt  the  power  of  truth  upon  his  own  soul 
and  ardently  desired  that  others  might  share 
in  the  same  blessedness.  Said  a  man  who 
accidentally  found  him  praying  in  the  forest 
to  God  for  his  people,  "  I  stood  for  a  mo- 
ment and  gazed  on  his  countenance  ;  he  was 
upon  his  knees  with  his  face  turned  upwards 
and  his  hands  raised.  The  tears  rolled  in 
torrents  down  his  face  ;  his  soul  seemed  to 
sit  upon  his  countenance.  He  was  praying 
for  his  little  church.  He  prayed  with  such 
fervency  that  my  soul  melted  within  me  and 
I  fell  prostrate  upon  the  ground  and  ejacu- 


108  MEMOIR    OF 

lated  a  prayer  to  God.  He  continued  pray- 
ing a  long  time  with  the  same  fervor.  That 
was  a  delightful  prayer  meeting.  I  never 
got  so  near  to  God  before  !  Mr.  Hidden 
rose  and  I  did  the  same.  '  Well,'  said  he, 
'  this  is  a  good  place  for  a  prayer  meeting  ; 
let  us  pray  longer ;'  and  we  prayed  there  a 
whole  hour.  I  have  often  wished  to  meet 
him  so  again." 

He  now  began  to  take  measures  for  the 
building  up  of  his  church  and  improvement 
of  the  people.  On  the  20th  of  September, 
1792,  the  first  church  meeting  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Mr.  William  Eastman.  At 
which  meeting  George  Dodge  was  unani- 
mously chosen  Clerk,  and  William  Eastman 
and  Oliver  Fowler  Deacons.  The  church 
being  thus  organized,  it  was  voted,  "  That 
the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  be  ad- 
ministered on  the  first  Sabbath  in  Novem- 
ber." The  communion  season  was  antici- 
pated with  great  delight.  The  little  church 
now  (Nov.  4,)  numbered  nineteen,  thirteen 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  109 

males  and  six  females.  The  long  desired 
season  arrived.  This  was  the  first  time 
many  of  the  congregation  had  witnessed  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  A  deep 
solemnity  pervaded  the  audience.  To  the 
church  it  was  a  Pentecostal  season.  Pre- 
vious to  passing  the  bread  Mr.  Hidden  re- 
minded them  of  the  love  of  Christ,  his 
death  and  atonement.  He  reminded  them 
of  his  last  supper  and  his  sufferings  in  the 
garden.  Said  he,  "  I  come  to  break  bread 
to  you  here  in  the  wilderness.  The  manna 
is  ready.  Eat  ye  all  of  it."  This  season 
cannot  be  better  described  than  in  the  words 
of  one  who  was  present.  "  This  season," 
said  he,  "  was  awfully  solemn.  There  was 
not  a  man,  women,  or  child  who  was  not  af- 
fected to  tears.  This  was  the  first  time  such 
a  season  had  been  enjoyed  in  the  town,  and 
we  were  so  thankful  that  we  had  now  the 
stated  means  of  grace,  a  church  and  a  pas- 
tor, dearer  to  every  heart  than  life  itself,  we 
could  express  our  gratitude  only  by  deep 


110  MEMOIR    OF 

sobbings  of  the  heart.  The  fountains  of 
our  souls  were  broken  up.  We  felt  that 
Christ  was  present  with  us.  We  blessed 
him  and  covenanted  to  be  his  forever.  This 
was  a  foretaste  of  heavenly  communion  ;  it 
was  the  house  of  God  and  the  very  gate  of 
heaven." 

The  following  lines  of  Mr.  Hidden  are 
fraught  with  great  interest. 

"  I  have  to-day,  for  the  first  time,  admin- 
istered the  Lord's  Supper  to  my  little  flock. 
The  act  was  new  to  me.  As  I  looked 
round  on  those  who  partook  of  the  elements 
of  Christ's  body  and  blood,  I  thought  how 
happy  we  shall  be  in  heaven  when  we  sit 
around  Christ's  table  and  he  at  the  head. 
Then  these  bodies  will  be  changed.  They 
will  be  like  Christ's  glorious  body.  Our  un- 
holy passions  will  there  be  unknown.  Not 
a  wave  of  trouble  will  roll  across  our  peace- 
ful breasts.  No  tear  will  bedew  our  cheek. 
Our  hands  will  wave  palms  of  victory. 
Our  voices  will  proclaim  Christ  the  Re- 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  Ill 

deemer  of  our  souls.  We  shall  then  be 
clothed  in  garments  washed  in  Jesus  blood. 
We  shall  tune  our  harps  of  gold.  Here  our 
houses  are  of  clay.  We  are  clothed  with 
rags,  and  fof  these  we  must  labor  hard,  but 
there  the  richest  crowns  and  garments  of  pure 
white  are  laid  up  for  us.  Here  we  com- 
mune with  Christ,  as  it  were,  at  a  great  dis- 
tance, but  there  we  shall  lean  upon  his  bo- 
som, look  full  into  his  face  which  shines 
with  a  brightness  that  outdazzles  the  sun. 
We  shall  there  drink  of  the  strearn  that 
flows  fast  by  the  throne  of  God.  The  sun 
will  not  scorch,  nor  the  winter  blast  us. 
Full  fruition  will  be  ours.  More  will  be 
offered  us  than  we  can  contain.  There 
will  be  a  surplus  of  every  joy.  Oh  blest 
scenes  of  pure  delight  !  What  a  contrast 
with  those  of  to-day  !  We  have  had  a  bles- 
sed season  here,  but  there  more  blessed.  I 
long  for  that  home  where  death  will  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  victory.  I  have  attempted  to 
sing  to-day,  but  in  heaven  how  will  my 


112  MEMOIR    OF 

voice  echo !  O  ravishing  thought !  I 
seem  almost  to  be  there  !  The  voices  of 
angels  sound  sweetly  upon  my  ear !  I 
catch  the  note,  I  begin  the  song,  glory  to 
God  and  the  Lamb,  that  has  bought  us  with 
his  blood  !  Halleluiah  !  Halleluiah  !  Let 
the  echo  fly.  How  am  I  rapt  in  contempla- 
tion !  But,  oh  !  I  am  still  here,  prisoner  of 
earth,  vile,  and  sinful.  But,  dear  Jesus,  I 
will  labor  for  thee  and  love  thee  though  I 
be  sent  to  hell  as  I  deserve.  I  delight  in 
thy  service.  I  love  thy  word.  It  is  my 
meditation  day  and  night ;  sweeter  to  my 
taste  than  honey  or  the  honey  comb.  Ena- 
ble me  so  to  teach  it  to  others  as  that  they 
also  may  love  it  and  find  by  happy  experi- 
ence that  in  keeping  thy  commandments, 
there  is  great  reward.  Make  me  a  faithful 
Shepherd  to  this  little  flock,  that  I  may  be 
able  to  lead  them  in  green  pastures  and  by 
still  waters  and  feed  them  with  knowledge 
and  understanding,  that  they  may  be  trained 
up  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  113 

May  all  who  have  communed  at  thy  table 
to-day  eat  bread  at  thy  right  hand.  Oh 
keep  them,  blessed  God.  Save  them  to  the 
end.  Let  them,  while  they  sojourn  here, 
hold  constant  intercourse  with  heaven." 


Mr.  Hidden  was  married  Nov.  29>  1792, 
to  Miss  Betsy  Price,  daughter  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Price  of  Gilmanton.  The  town,  as 
stipulated,  had  erected  him  a  house  and  fin- 
ished a  part  of  it.  They  welcomed  his 
bride,  with  great  cordiality.  The  intercourse 
between  his  family  and  the  inhabitants  was 
of  a  character  adapted  to  improvement. 
tt  was  open,  free,  confiding.  There  was 
no  restraint.  His  house  was  open  for  the 
reception  of  his  parishioners  at  all  hours  of 
the  day.  This  gave  him  an  opportunity  to 
know  his  people  and  their  wants.  On  this 
account  he  was  always  fortunate  in  the  se- 
lection of  subjects  for  his  sermons.  Never 


114  MEMOIR    OF 

was  man  more  skilful  in  adapting  his  ser- 
mons to  the  occasion  and  circumstance. 
This  was  owing  to  great  familiarity  with 
men  and  things.  From  his  earliest  youth 
he  had  accurately  studied  human  nature. 
He  saw  through  men.  He  could  construe 
them,  analyze  them.  This  made  him  supe- 
rior to  others.  His  people  felt  it,  and  sought 
his  counsel  on  all  occasions.  His  opinion 
was  law  in  matters  spiritual  and  tempo- 
ral. 

Up  to  this  time,  he  had  preached  in  Capt. 
Dodge's  barn,  or  in  some  dwelling  house  as 
the  Selectmen  had  provided.  But  now  he 
held  his  meetings  in  his  own  house,  having 
a  room  fitted  up  for  that  purpose.  During 
the  week  he  lectured  as  often  as  three  times 
in  different  parts  of  the  town.  In  Oc- 
tober, they  had  voted  to  build  a  house 
forty  four  feet  long,  thirty-seven  and  half 
wide  and  one  story  high  ;  and  a  plan  of  the 
pews  having  been  drawn  they  were  sold  at 
auction,  for  between  three  and  six  dollars 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  115 

per  pew.  But  in  March,  1793,  nothing 
farther  having  been  done,  the  town  voted  to 
build  the  house  two  stories  high  instead  of 
one,  and  refused  to  sell  the  pews  by  a  new 
auction,  and  voted  to  raise  the  money  to  de- 
fray the  expenses  of  the  house,  (in  addition  to 
that  raised  by  the  sale  of  pews  and  fifty  dol- 
lars granted  by  the  proprietors)  by  a  direct 
tax  on  every  man  in  the  town.  Many 
complained  of  this  as  oppressive,  since 
some  lived  at  so  great  distance  as  rendered  it 
impracticable  to  worship  in  the  contempla- 
ted house.  Such  an  act  at  the  present  day 
would  not  be  tolerated.  But  considering 
that  the  town  built  the  house  and  that  almost 
all  would  meet  in  it  for  worship  there  is  less 
room  for  censure. 

It  is  lamentable  to  find  on  record  such 
an  act  as  the  following  ;  "  voted  to  procure 
one  Barrel  of  Rum  for  framing  and  raising 
the  Meeting  House."  But  we  must  not  try 
them  by  the  same  standard  by  which  we 
judge  men  of  the  present  day.  Future  gen- 


116  MEMOIR    OF 

erations  will  condemn  in  us  many  acts  which 
we  esteem  virtuous.  They  acted  in  accord- 
ance with  the  light  they  enjoyed.  Let  us 
do  the  same  and  guard  against  the  errors 
they  committed.  Let  their  errors  perish  with 
them. 

Much  debate  arose  about  the  location  of 
the  building.  Some  were  for  one  place  and 
others  for  a  different.  Several  meetings 
were  successively  held.  March  25,  1793, 
it  was  voted  to  erect  the  house  on  the  spot 
where  it  now  stands.  The  frame  was  raised 
in  August  following,  when  a  dinner  was 
dressed  for  the  occasion  at  the  expense  of 
the  town.  The  exterior  of  the  house  was 
completed  during  the  autumn,  the  interior 
being  deferred  until  the  ensuing  summer. 
As  soon  as  the  frame  was  boarded  and 
shingled,  a  temporary  Pulpit  was  erected 
and  seats  prepared,  and  in  it  they  held  their 
meetings  during  the  winter  and  following 
spring. 

At  the  close  of  1792,  the  church  consis- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  117 

ted  of  twenty  nine  members.  But  in  the 
winter  of  1793,  and  1794,  the  church  was 
visited  with  a  refreshing  shower  of  divine 
grace.  The  6rst  intimation  of  the  special 
presence  of  the  Spirit  was  observed  in  a 
prayer  meeting  held  at  Dea.  Eastman's 
house.  A  member  of  the  church  was  called 
upon  to  pray.  He  rose  and  prayed  with 
unusual  fervor  for  a  revival  of  religion. 
When  he  sat  down  Mr.  Hidden,  bursting 
into  tears,  exclaimed,  "  There,  brother,  the 
revival  you  wanted  has  come  !  Don't  you 
see  how  Christ  fulfills  his  promises  ?  Even 
while  you  were  praying  he  answered  !"  A 
deep  solemnity  pervaded  the  meeting. 
They  confessed  their  faults  one  to  another 
and  covenanted  to  begin  anew  the  Christian 
life.  They  left  the  house  of  prayer  with 
hearts  warmed  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  say- 
ing, "  Did  not  our  hearts  burn  within  us  ?" 
Mr.  Hidden  spent  the  whole  night  in  wrest- 
ling with  the  God  of  Jacob.  He  prevailed. 
Early  the  next  morning  he  called  at  the 


118  MEMOIR   OF 

house  of  Dea.  Eastman  and  found  him 
asleep.  "  What/'  said  he,  "  can  you  not 
pray  one  night  ?  Come,  Deacon,  get  up, 
and  let  us  have  a  prayer  meeting  this  morn- 
ing. Why,  don't  you  see  that  Christ  is  com- 
ing to  make  us  a  visit  ?  Let  us  prepare  for 
him."  This  was  Friday  morning.  The 
influence  of  the  last  evening's  meeting  began 
to  be  felt  in  every  direction.  One  heart 
warmed  another  until  the  whole  Church 
was  revived.  Prayer  meetings  were  held 
in  different  parts  of  the  town  and  wherever 
two  or  three  met,  there  was  a  prayer  meet- 
ing. The  people  came  from  all  parts  of  the 
town  through  the  woods  in  deep  snows,  on 
sleds  drawn  by  oxen  every  Sabbath  ;  this 
being  the  more  common  mode  of  convey- 
ance. The  snow  was  often  so  deep  that 
the  paths  were  impassable  to  horses.  This 
did  not  keep  them  from  the  house  of  wor- 
ship. They  feared  not  the  cold  of  winter 
while  their  hearts  were  warmed  with  holy 
love.  Mr.  Hidden  preached  with  great 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  119 

zeal ;  often  every  day  in  the  week.  Much 
time  was  spent  in  religious  conference  with 
those  who  came  to  his  house  to  receive  in- 
struction and  consolation.  When  any  came, 
anxious  for  their  souls'  salvation,  after 
properly  enlightening  their  minds  with  di- 
vine truth,  and  urging  them  to  submit  to 
Christ,  he  commended  them  to  God  in 
prayer  and  would  say,  "  Come,  now  you 
pray."  At  one  of  these  conferences  a  man 
declined  praying ;  "  What,"  said  he,  "  wont 
pray  for  yourself  when  /  have  been  praying 
for  you !  Come,  pray  now"  The  man 
replied  that  he  could  not  think  of  any  thing 
to  say.  "  Say  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Hidden, 
"  Say,  Oh,  Lord  Jesus,  forgive  me  !"  "Ah  !" 
said  the  penitent  man,  "  I  can  pray  now," 
and  fell  on  his  knees  and  gave  his  heart  to 
Christ.  "  There,"  said  Mr.  Hidden  smiling 
through  his  tears,  "  you  have  got  the  door 
open.  Keep  it  so."  Thus  the  work  of 
grace  progressed  with  great  power.  The 
elderly  portion  of  the  community  were  espe- 


120  MEMOIR  or 

cially  the  subjects  of  this  revival.  About 
thirty  were  hopefully  converted.  This  was 
a  large  number  considering  the  small  popu- 
lation of  the  town.  Fifteen  were  added  to 
the  church  at  the  close  of  1793,  and  others 
at  the  commencement  of  1794  ;  between 
which  time  and  1800,  about  fifty  were  add- 
ed. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  121 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Revival — Extract  of  a  letter — Change  in 
his  salary — Missionary  tour — Revivals 
— Spotted  fever — Cold  seasons — His  in- 
terest in  the  sufferers. 

We  have  seen  that  during  the  last  eight 
years,  the  church  had  enjoyed  refreshings 
from  the  Lord  and  that  a  good  degree  of  in- 
terest continued  through  all  this  period. 
We  are  now  to  record  a  work  of  grace  un- 
paralleled in  the  annals  of  church  history, 
considering  the  number  of  inhabitants  and 
the  distances  at  which  they  lived  from  the 
place  of  worship. 

This  revival  also  took  its  rise  in  a  prayer 
meeting  in  the  north  western  part  of  the 
town.  Previous  to  this  meeting  it  had  been 
observed  that  Mr.  Hidden  preached  with 


MEMOIR    OF 

unusual  fervor,  that  his  prayers  breathed 
more  of  heaven  and  a  deeper  solemnity  rest- 
ed upon  his  countenance.  He  remarked  to 
one  of  his  Deacons  ;  "  Sir,  what  is  to  be 
done  ?  Here  are  hundreds  in  this  town  go- 
ing to  hell  if  not  saved  soon  !  I  feel  that 
God  is  about  to  pour  out  his  Spirit.  We 
have  prayed  long  ;  and  I  know  God  will  an- 
swer prayer.  Why.  I  know  we  shall  be  re- 
vived again  !  Pray  for  it,  deacon.  Don't 
leave  off  praying.  God  is  merciful.  We 
shall  prevail."  His  faith  was  well  founded. 
God  soon  appeared,  not  in  the  whirlwind 
nor  the  storm,  but  his  still  small  voice  was 
heard.  The  waters  began  to  be  agitated. 
A  ripple  was  seen.  Soon  a  mighty  wave 
of  salvation  rolled  over  the  town.  A  few 
days  after  the  prayer  meeting  above  spoken 
of,  one,  who  attended  it,  remarked  that  he 
believed  they  "  really  should  have  a  revi- 
val." "  Believe,"  replied  Mr.  Hidden,  «  I 
have  no  belief  about  it.  I  know  we  shall 
have  one.  And  it  is  here  now.  I  prayed  all 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  123 

last  night,  and  God  has  removed  every  doubt. 
I  have  the  assurance  that  all  these  souls 
will  be  converted."  Prayer  meetings  were 
held  every  evening  in  the  week — These 
were  crowded.  The  principal  business  for 
some  months  was  prayer  and  religious  con- 
versation. Whole  nights  were  spent  in  sup- 
plication and  singing  praises  to  God.  They 
went  from  house  to  house,  telling  what  God 
had  done  for  their  souls.  Mr.  Hidden's 
house  was  crowded  with  anxious  inquirers. 
He  removed  their  doubts.  He  led  them  to 
the  Lamb  of  God.  Thus  the  work  pro- 
gressed until  it  extended  over  the  whole 
town.  It  pervaded  almost  every  heart. 
Not  only  did  Tamworth  enjoy  this  glorious 
work  of  grace  but  it  extended  to  Conway, 
Eaton,  Ossipee,  Moultonborough  and  Sand- 
wich. Some  of  these  towns  shared  largely 
in  it.  During  the  whole  revival  he  had  no 
assistance  from  abioad.  He  preached  on 
the  Sabbath  and  often  during  the  week  in 
various  parts  of  the  town.  A  few  Sabbaths 


124  MEMOIR    OF 

however,  such  was  the  deep  feeling  which 
prevailed,  the  people  did  not  desire  preach- 
ing. They  spent  these  days  in'  prayer,  ex- 
hortation, singing  and  in  rehearsing  God's 
goodness  to  their  souls.  This  revival  was 
characterized  by  great  depth  of  feeling 
without  any  unnatural  excitement.  The 
people  were  calm  and  resolved.  They  felt 
that  they  were  acting  for  eternity.  It  was 
also  characterized  by  permanency  of  inter- 
est. Of  the  subjects  of  this  revival  it  is  re- 
marked very  few  went  back  into  the  ways  of 
the  world  but  by  their  lives  have  shown  this 
work  to  be  of  God.  The  fruits  of  this  revi- 
val were  nearly  three  hundred  converts, 
about  two  hundred  of  whom  subsequently 
united  with  the  Congregational  church  in 
Tamworth,  others  with  churches  in  the  sur- 
rounding towns,  and  some  went  to  other  de- 
nominations. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  of 
Mr.  Hidden  written  after  this  revival  can- 
not fail  to  interest  the  reader. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  125 

"  The  revival  which  we  have  just  enjoyed 
seems  to  astonish  some.  I  am  not  aston- 
ished at  all.  It  is  just  what  we  had  reason 
to  expect.  Christians  don't  open  their  arms 
wide  enough.  They  should  expect  great 
things.  According  to  the  desire  of  thy  heart 
be  it  unto  thee,  is  the  only  limit  I  find. 
Why  should  we  expect  small  things  when 
Christ  has  paid  so  great  a  ransom  ?  What 
we  have  witnessed  is  only  an  earnest  of  what 
God  is  about  to  do  for  his  Church.  Our  re- 
vival has  been  a  glorious  work.  Sinners 
have  been  saved  and  Christ  glorified.  Be 
all  the  glory  his.  His  is  the  work.  We 
have  done  nothing.  We  have  been  only 
the  instruments  in  his  hands.  Blessed  be 
God,  that  he  has  condescended  to  make  use 
of  such  unworthy  means.  I  can't  be  half 
thankful  enough  that  God  has  made  use  of 
me  (as  I  trust  he  has)  in  the  salvation  of 
these  precious  souls.  For  four  months  past 
I  have  preached  almost  every  day.  Every 
moment  of  my  time  has  been  occupied  in 


126  MEMOIR    OF 

leading  souls  to  Christ.  But  amidst  all 
these  labors  I  think  I  am  growing  fleshy. 
It  does  me  good  to  preach  !  The  work  is 
delightful ! 

"Sweet  is  the  work,  my  God,  my  King, 
To  praise  thy  name,  give  thanks  and  sing, 
To  show  thy  love  by  morning  light, 
And  talk  of  all  thy  truth  at  night." 

I  have  scarcely  felt  the  need  of  food  or 
rest  since  our  revival  commenced.  Prayer 
is  food. enough.  Oh,  I  desire  to  die  praying 
and  praising  God.  Our  revival  commenced 
in  prayer  and  was  continued  in  prayer. 
Prayer  literally  moves  God's  hand.  It  will 
be  the  great  means  under  God  of  the  world's 
salvation.  Praying  breath  is  never  spent  in 
vain.  We  have  realized  the  truth  of  this. 
Nearly  three  hundred  souls  have  been  con- 
verted. Nearly  two  hundred  have  joined 
this  church.  Is  not  this  a  glorious  work  ? 
This  is  the  work  of  the  Spirit.  We  have 
had  no  excitement,  no  noise.  All  has  been 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  127 

calm,  solemn,  glorious.  The  work  is  almost 
complete.  But,  Oh  my  soul,  what  will  be- 
come of  those  who  have  remained  unrecon- 
ciled to  God  ?  I  know  not  how  they  can 
ever  expect  to  be  converted  after  resisting 
so  long!  But  God's  mercy  is  unbounded. 
Spare  them  Almighty  God  " 

The  influence  of  this  revival  upon  the 
Church  and  town  has  not  ceased  to  be  felt. 
The  amount  of  good  which  has,  and  will  re- 
sult from  it  is  incalculable.  The  aspect  of 
the  whole  town  was  changed.  The  morals 
were  improved.  Industry  was  encouraged 
and  education  advanced.  This  work  did 
not  cease  at  once  even  in  its  special  mani- 
festations. The  drops  of  divine  grace  were 
distilled  from  time  to  time  throughout  the 
whole  year.  Prayer  meetings  were  regular- 
ly attended  and  Christians  grew  in  grace. 
Harmony  pervaded  the  church  until  the  close 
of  1805,  when  Mr.  Hidden  complained  that 
ho  did  not  receive  his  salary  as  stipulated. 
They  were  tardy  in  payments.  He  was 


128  MEMOIR    OF 

sometimes  distressed  for  means  of  support. 
It  grieved  him  that  a  people  so  distinguished 
with  special  mercy  should  be  negligent  in 
supplying  the  necessities  of  their  spiritual 
guide.  Besides  this,  they  were  practicing  a 
fraud  which  he  felt  bound  to  rebuke.  It 
will  be  recollected  that  in  the  proposals 
made  to  Mr.  Hidden,  it  was  stipulated  that 
alter  a  certain  number  of  years  his  salary 
should  be  fifty  pounds  yearly.  Three 
pounds  were  to  be  "  paid  in  cash;  twenty 
three  pounds  ten  shillings  in  good  merchant- 
able beef  at  eighteen  shillings  per  hundred 
and  the  remaining  twenty-three  pounds  ten 
shillings  in  corn  at  three  shillings,  rye  at 
four  and  wheat,  five  shillings  the  bushel." 
But  when  these  articles  wrould  sell  for  more 
than  the  stipulated  price  they  paid  him  the 
money,  and  when  they  sold  for  less  they 
brought  him  produce.  For  instance,  corn 
was  stipulated  at  three  shillings  per  bushel ; 
but  when  it  was  six  shillings,  (which  was 
often  the  case)  they  would,  instead  of  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  129 

'corn,  bring  three  shillings.  Thus  Mr.  Hid* 
den  would  receive  only  half  his  due.  The 
same  was  often  the  case  with  the  other  arti- 
cles specified.  He  deemed  this  a  species  of 
iniquity  and  condemned  it.  He  felt  that  he 
was  indulging  them  in  a  speculation  obnox- 
ious to  their  spiritual  interest  and  offensive 
in  the  sight  of  God.  Finding  that  stern  re- 
bukes failed  to  remedy  the  evil  he  announced 
his  resolution,  unless  a  remedy  could  be  de- 
vised, at  once  to  absolve  the  relation  which 
existed  between  them  as  pastor  and  people. 
This  was  no  rash  act  on  his  part.  He  had 
made  it  a  subject  of  earnest  prayer.  He 
loved  the  people.  He  looked  upon  most  of 
the  town  as  his  spiritual  children.  He  felt 
that  his  interest  was  identified  with  theirs. 
It  sorely  grieved  his  heart  to  find  the  people 
whom  he  cherished  with  his  warmest  affec- 
tions so  regardless  of  justice,  of  their  own  in- 
terest and  his  feelings. 

They,  finding  that  they  must  loose    their 
Minister  unless  something    was    effected,  at 
9 


130  MEMOIR    Off 

their  annual  meeting,  March  11,  1806,  chose 
a  committee  to  devise  some  change  in  the 
mode  of  paying  his  salary.  This  commit- 
tee, actuated  by  motives  honorable  to  them- 
selves, made  an  estimate  of  the  average  val- 
ue of  the  articles  of  produce  specified  in  the 
contract,  together  with  the  "  three  pounds 
in  cash,"  and  found  it  to  be  two  hundred 
and  one  dollars.  They  made  a  report  at 
the  same  meeting  and  it  was  unanimously 
voted  that  from  that  time  Mr.  Hidden's  sal- 
ary should  be  two  hundred  and  one  dollars 
in  lawful  money  in  lieu  of  the  old  contract. 
This  vote  was  announced  to  Mr.  Hidden. 
It  met  his  approbation.  Before  the  assem- 
bled town  he  returned  thanks  to  Almighty 
God  for  this  act  of  justice.  He  exclaimed, 
"  This  is  the  happiest  moment  of  my  life  ! 
I  am  not  to  be  severed  from  my  spiritual 
children  and  the  people  whom  I  love.'* 
Said  he  to  the  memorialist  many  years  after 
this  transaction,  "  I  laid  awake  all  that  night, 
I  was  so  thankful  that  a  reconciliation  had 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  131 

been  effected.  If  I  had  left,  it  would  have 
rent  asunder  the  tenderest  ties  that  ever 
bound  minister  to  his  people.  It  would 
have  been  a  severing  of  a  part  of  the  body. 
For  I  conceive  myself  identified  with  my 
people,  one  and  inseperable,  till  death  di- 
vides us."  "  Ah  !"  exclaimed  he,  "  death 
won't  effect  a  long  seperation.  We  shall 
be  united  in  heaven  !"  Never  perhaps  did 
man  love  his  church  and  people  more.  It 
was  his  delight  to  do  them  good ;  to  see 
them  prosper  in  things  spiritual  and  tempo- 
ral. 

At  this  time  religion  in  the  church  was  at 
a  low  ebb.  The  high-toned  piety  of  1800, 
had  degenerated.  The  prayer  meetings 
were  neglected.  Many  ceased  to  tread 
Zion's  courts.  A  worldly  spirit  crept  into 
the  church,  and  Mr.  Hidden  was  "  appoint- 
ed by  the  Society  for  propagating  the  Gos- 
pel among  the  Indians  and  others  in  North- 
America,  a  Missionary  for  Districts  No.  2, 
3, 4,  in  Maine,  for  two  months.  The 


132  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Journal  of  his  proceedings,"  in  which  he 
recorded  "  the  baptisms  administered,  the 
churches  organized,  the  schools  established, 
the  books  distributed,  the  monies  received, 
and  in  short,  all  transactions  and  occurren- 
ces of  interest,"  I  have  been  unable  to  ob- 
tain. His  absence,  however,  was  suffi- 
ciently long  to  teach  his  church  the  worth  of 
his  services  among  them.  His  tour  was 
productive  of  great  good.  On  his  return,  la- 
menting the  low  state  of  religion  in  the 
church,  he,  after  some  consultation,  ap- 
pointed a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  Said 
he  in  giving  out  this  appointment,  "  Breth- 
ren, we  have  got  down,  not  in  the  valley  of 
humiliation,  but  in  the  valley  of  spiritual 
death !  Now  let  us  come  together  and 
pray  ourselves  out  of  it.  Prayer  is  the  only 
instrument  that  can  extricate  us.  If  we  re- 
main here  longer  the  Devil  will  cover  us  all 
over  with  filth  !  Brethren,  do  let  us  pray  !" 
This  day  was  generally  observed  by  the 
church.  A  deep  interest  pervaded  the  meet- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  133 

ing.  Many  who  had  absented  themselves 
from  the  special  meetings  of  the  church  were 
present.  Their  hearts  warmed.  Their  first 
love  returned.  There  was  a  shaking 
among  the  dry  bones.  The  valley  of  death 
teemed  with  life.  The  church  began  spon- 
taneously to  visit  each  other.  They  went 
from  house  to  house,  praying  and  exhorting. 
Prayer  meetings  were  commenced  anew, 
and  all  the  means  of  grace  were  cheerfully 
observed.  Soon  the  voice  of  joy  was  heard. 
Souls  were  born  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
Said  a  subject  of  this  revival,  to  the  memo- 
rialist, "  One  Sabbath  Mr.  Hidden  preached 
from  Gen.  6:  3.  "  My  Spirit  shall  not  al- 
ways strive  with  man."  He  showed  the 
danger  of  resisting  God's  Spirit  and  that 
there  was  a  point  beyond  which  his  patience 
would  not  extend.  He  applied  it  to  those 
present  and  exhorted  us  to  fear  lest  we 
should  provoke  the  Spirit  to  depart  forever. 
Never  shall  I  forget  that  sermon."  Said 
he,  "  I  thought  he  was  personally  address- 


134  MEMOIR    OF 

ing  his  words  to  me  and  I  trembled  before 
God.  I  could  not  sit  still  upon  my  seat. 
My  anguish  of  spirit  was  almost  insupporta- 
ble. "  Now,"  said  Mr.  Hidden,  "what  is  to 
be  done  ?  The  Spirit  is  hovering  over  you 
— is  knocking  at  the  door  of  your  heart, 
saying,  Open  to  me :  for  my  head  is  filled 
with  dew,  and  my  locks  with  the  drops  of 
the  night.  Turn  you  at  my  reproof;  be- 
hold I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  unto  you,  I 
will  make  known  my  words  unto  you ! 
Will  you  give  heed  to  this  voice,  turn  and 
live  ?  If  you  do  not,  remember  that  God 
will  say  unto  you,  '  Because  I  have  called, 
and  ye  have  refused ;  I  have  stretched  out 
my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded  ;  but  ye 
have  set  at  naught  all  my  counsel,  and 
would  none  of  my  reproof ;  I  also  will  laugh 
at  your  calamity  ;  I  will  mock  when  your 
fear  cometh.  Oh  the  awful  condition  of  a 
soul  forsaken  of  God  !  Hearken,  and  your 
soul  shall  live.  This  day  repent.  Defer  it 
not  until  to-morrow  :  then  your  spirit  may 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  135 

be  in  hell  !  Come,  sinner,  are  you  ready  ?" 
Such  were  the  melting  appeals  which  he 
was  accustomed  to  address  to  his  audience. 
They  always  reached  the  heart.  He 
preached"  atf men  not  around  them."  Or- 
dinary means  of  grace  were  the  only  means 
used  in  this  revival.  It  was  consequent  up- 
on prayer  and  preaching  God's  word.  As 
the  fruits  of  this  revival  nineteen  males  and 
ten  females  were  admitted  to  the  church. 
The  effects  of  this  display  of  divine  grace 
were  permanent.  The  church  was  strength- 
ened and  roused  to  action.  The  salutary 
effects  of  a  revival  in  a  church  should  nev- 
er be  estimated  only  from  the  number  of 
conversions  in  a  given  time.  We  should 
also  take  into  consideration  the  deeper  tone 
of  piety  occasioned  in  the  church  and  the 
improvement  of  society  generally. 

A  lively  interest  from  this  time  in  religion 
was  continued  until  1811,  when  the  church 
was  again  visited  with  the  special  presence 
of  the  Spirit.  Perhaps  this  revival  should 


136  MEMOIR  or 

be  regarded  as  a  continuation  of  the  one  en- 
joyed in  1809  and  1810.  In  this  the  fe- 
male portion  of  the  community  seem  to  have 
been  the  special  subjects.  Twenty  eight 
were  added  to  the  church. 

Up  to  1813,  the  town  and  church  had 
enjoyed  a  great  degree  of  prosperity.  But 
this  year  they  were  called  to  witness  the 
ravages  of  the  Spotted  Fever.  This  broke 
out  early  in  the  year  and  spread  over  a  large 
portion  of  the  State.  This  epidemic  was 
very  malignant.  In  some  places  men  died 
almost  instantly  in  their  fields,  or  wherever 
they  chanced  to  be  !  No  warning  was  al- 
lowed them.  They  died  and  were  buried 
in  the  same  apparel.  Putrefaction  was  so 
rapid  that  the  living  dared  not  afford  a  wind- 
ing  sheet.  The  mother  saw  the  infant  blos- 
som perish  upon  her  bosom.  The  strong 
man  bowed  and  the  fearless  was  struck  with 
dismay.  Merriment  was  changed  to  lamen- 
tation. The  dead  and  the  dying  were  seea 
on  every  hand. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  137 

May  13th,  1813,  a  special  Town  Meet- 
ing was  called  in  which  it  was  voted,  "  that 
the  town  provide  medical  aid  and  medicine, 
if  the  spotted  fever,  which  now  prevails  in 
other  towns,  shall  prevail  in  Tamworth." 
The  greatest  anxiety  was  experienced.  The 
victims  of  this  disease  in  Moultonborough, 
Sandwich,  and  elsewhere,  were  falling  in 
great  numbers.  At  length  it  entered  the 
town  "  in  all  its  native  ugliness."  Scarce- 
ly a  family  escaped  a  visit  from  this  destroy- 
er of  men.  Before  him  beauty  faded, 
health  fled,  muscles  stiffened,  the  streams  of 
life  ceased  to  flow.  Mr.  Hidden  fearlessly 
"  walked  amidst  the  shadows  of  death  and 
found  them  not  shadows."  He  administer- 
ed comfort,  temporal  and  spiritual.  He 
chid  their  murmurings  ;  bade  them  be  calm 
and  ready  to  meet  the  "  grim  messenger." 
What  he  wished  others  to  be  he  was  him- 
self. Soon  he  was  called  to  struggle  with 
this  emisary  of  death.  The  combat  was 


138  MEMOIR    OP 

violent  and  for  some  days  doubtful.  But 
through  the  mercy  of  God  he  prevailed. 
He  was  raised  up  to  continue  a  blessing  to 
the  church  and  people  of  his  charge,  though 
he  suffered  even  to  his  death  with  a  disease 
in  one  limb  which  was  occasioned  by  this 
fever. 

Opportunity  was  here  afforded  him  to 
witness  the  sustaining  influence  of  religion 
on  those  who  had  been  converted  through 
his  instrumentality.  The  lambs  that  he  had 
gathered  into  the  fold  sickened  and  died, 
but  experienced  in  their  latest  moments 
e(  peace  which  passeth  understanding."  He 
was  often  heard  to  say,  "  well,  these  lambs 
are  now  under  the  care  of  a  Shepherd  more 
faithful  than  I.  Oh,  how  sweetly  they  will 
sing  glory  to  God  and  the  Larnb  !  They 
will  ascribe  all  the  glory  of  their  salvation 
to  Jesus  who  has  washed  them  in  his  blood. 
In  his  presence  they  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall  the 
sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  139 

Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  nnto 
living  fountains  of  waters  ;  and  God  shall 
wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes."  Said 
he  to  a  mother  lamenting  the  death  of  a 
beloved  child,  "  Why  do  you  weep  ?  There 
is  no  fever  where  Mary  is  gone  !  The  spots 
which  we  see  here  are  all  washed  off  by  Je- 
sus' blood  !  She  looks  as  white  as  an  angel 
now  !  You  will  hardly  recognize  her  when 
you  get  to  heaven,  she  will  look  so  glorious. 
She  is  making  more  music  there  than  you 
and  I  both  can  make  here." 

This  event  cast  a  gloom  over  the  church 
and  town.  Sorrow,  and  almost  despair  were 
depicted  on  many  a  countenance  ;  but  he 
was  ever  cheerful. 

"  lie  allured  to  brighter  worlds  and  led  the  way." 

The  effects  of  this  epidemic  had  not 
ceased  to  be  felt  when  the  "  cold  seasons" 
of  1815,  1816,  and  1817,  came  on.  This, 
though  it  wore  not  so  frightful  an  aspect  as 


140  MEMOIR    OF 

the  Spotted  Fever,  was  in  the  end  more  dis- 
tressing. Though  the  victims  of  famine 
fell  not  as  suddenly,  nevertheless  as  surely. 
Great  suffering  was  experienced  through  the 
whole  country.  The  famine  was  sore  in 
the  land"  and  men  knew  not  where  "to  buy 
corn."  There  was  no  Egypt  into  which 
they  might  ''  go  down."  No  large  "  store 
houses"  were  to  be  opened.  The  cold  was 
excessive  and  the  little  that  grew  was 
not  suffered  to  ripen.  The  frost  blast- 
ed every  green  thing.  This  was  emphati- 
cally true  in  Tamworth.  The  town  was 
yet  new.  Many  families  had  just  begun  to 
make  settlements  and  were  dependent  upon 
older  farmers  for  bread.  No  stores  of  pro- 
visions had  been  laid  up  for  such  an  emer- 
gency. The  neighboring  towns  were  in 
nearly  the  same  condition.  Consequently 
they  were  obliged  to  procure  corn  and  other 
grains  from  Portsmouth,  Exeter,  Gilmanton, 
Canterbury,  and  places  still  more  remote. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  141 

Destitute  of  money,  they  were  forced  to  go 
thirty,  and  even  forty  miles  with  sythes  and 
other  agricultural  implements  and  labor  for 
corn,  and  then  carry  it  home  to  their  half 
starving  families,  on  their  backs.  A  day's 
hard  labor  would  sometimes  procure  only  a 
peck  of  corn.  Many  a  man  was  glad  to 
labor  a  whole  day  for  a  half  bushel  of  pota- 
toes. Many  families  lived  chiefly  on  ber- 
ries for  weeks  together*  Wheat  flour  sold 
for  eighteen  dollars  per  bushel,  rye  for  ten. 
Such  was  the  distress  that  the  town  was 
obliged  to  procure  corn  for  the  sufferers, 
dealing  it  out  to  the  most  needy.  This 
they  were  obliged  to  do  three  sucessive 
years. 

In  the  sufferers  Mr.  Hidden  took  a  deep 
interest.  Rarely  does  a  Congregational 
minister  have  the  good  fortune  to  be  able  to 
relieve  the  necessities  of  his  parishoners.  But 
he  had  a  good  farm  which  yielded  more 
bountifully  than  some  others.  Ho  was 
ready  to  divide  his  last  meal.  The  needy 


142  MEMOIR    OP 

always  found  in  him  "  a  pitying  friend,"  a 
heart  to  sympathize,  and  a  hand  to  bestow 
where  ought  could  be  found.  He  assisted 
the  poor  in  the  payment  of  their  taxes  by 
allowing  them  to  labor  on  his  farm.  He  la- 
bored with  his  own  hands,  thus  setting  his 
people  an  example  of  industry.  Special 
fasts  were  observed  by  the  church.  The 
appeals  at  the  throne  of  mercy  were  solemn 
and  not  to  be  denied.  They  "  prayed  with 
heart  and  soul." 

At  length  the  dawn  of  happier  days  ap- 
peared. The  warm  and  genial  rays  of  the 
sun  fructified  the  earth  and  their  hearts 
were  filled  "  with  food  and  gladness." 
Hill  and  valley  rang  with  joyful  acclama- 
tions. Public  thanks  were  offered  and 
many  a  wretched  hovel  bore  witness  to  the 
heart-felt  gratitude  of  its  lean  occupants. 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  143 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Revivals — Protracted  meetings — His  influ- 
ence —  Ossipee  —  Sandwich  —  North 
Sandwich. 

We  have  now  followed  Mr.  Hidden 
through  a  period  of  about  sixty-two  years  ; 
thirty  of  which  are  identified  with  the  church, 
of  which  he  was  pastor.  This  is  the  most 
eventful  period  of  his  life,  though  not  the 
most  interesting  perhaps.  It  was  full  of 
"  stirring  incidents."  The  struggles  of  his 
youth,  his  hardships  in  war,  the  temptations 
of  a  College,  his  conversion  to  God — his 
zeal  in  entering  the  sacred  ministry  ; — his 
call  into  the  wilderness  to  lead  a  little  band 
of  Christians,  his  trials  and  labors,  in  a 
newly  settled  town,  his  extensive  revivals, 
and  the  marked  success  of  his  labors  are  of 


144  MEMOIR    OF 

no  ordinary  interest.  His  life  was  not  one 
of  inactivity  and  ease.  He  loved  to  labor 
in  the  service  of  Christ.  How  far  his  en- 
deavors to  save  immortal  spirits  were  blessed 
we  have  already  seen.  We  are  now  to  no- 
tice farther  displays  of  God's  grace. 

Since  1811,  the  church  witnessed  no 
special  token  of  divine  mercy.  The  town 
had  suffered  more  than  language  can  paint 
from  the  ravages  of  the  Spotted  Fever  and 
"  lean  famine."  The  heavens  were  brass, 
over  their  heads.  The  air  was  infected  with 
vapors  of  death.  The  earth  was  cold  and 
barren.  The  sun  withheld  its  genial  rays. 
There  was  no  bow  of  mercy,  or  star  of  hope. 
But  at  length  hope  revived  and  the  church 
put  on  her  "  beautiful  garments."  The  year 
1822,  opened  with  brighter  prospects. 

Mr.  Hidden  up  to  this  time  had  labored 
with  his  chracteristic  zeal.  Finding  that 
no  drops  of  mercy  descended,  that  the 
church  had  settled  down  into  a  cold  and 
lifeless  state,  he,  at  times  felt  almost  to  de- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  145 

spond.  But  he  was  not  a  man  to  yield  to 
such  a  feeling.  It  was  not  in  his  nature. 
Besides,  he  had  witnessed  too  signal  displays 
of  God's  grace  to  distrust  his  promises.  A 
member  of  his  church  about,  this  time  la- 
menting the  apathy  which  prevailed  in  the 
community,  and  fearing  "  the  Spirit  had  de- 
parted," "  Why,  brother,"  said  he,  "  has 
not  God  promised  to  hear  prayer  ?  He  is 
trying  your  faith.  He  loves  to  have  his 
children  pray  long ;  because  it  does  them 
good.  If  he  always  answered  prayer  im- 
mediately, his  people  would  not  pray  at  all, 
the  blessing  would  come  so  easy.  Go  and 
pray,  brother.  Pray  till  you  get  tired  and 
see  if  he  won't  bear  you.  His  ear  is  not 
heavy  that  it  cannot  hear,  nor  his  arm  short- 
ened that  it  cannot  save.  I  really  believe 
if  two  or  three  members  of  this  church  would 
intercede  at  ihe  throne  of  sovereign  mercy 
we  should  have  another  revival." 

A  few  pious  females  at  this  time    were  in 
the  habit  of  meeting  to  converse  on  religious 
10 


146  MEMOIR    OF 

subjects  and  to  pray  for  a  revival.  "  Now," 
said  Mr.  Hidden  on  learning  this,  "  we 
shall  have  a  revival ;  for  when  the  women 
pray  neither  God  nor  man  can  resist.  Oh  ! 
these  praying  mothers  will  do  more  towards 
inducing  the  Spirit  to  visit  us  than  all  the 
rest."  An  aged  mother  in  Israel  called  on 
him  one  day  for  religious  conversation  and 
said,  "  I  know  not  what  is  to  be  done  ;  we 
are  iu  so  cold  a  state."  "  Done  !"  replied 
he,  "  why  keep  on  importuning.  You 
women  are  great  hands  to  importune.  God 
will  not  be  angry  with  you.  This  is  all 
you  have  got  to  do.  God  will  visit  us.  I 
feel  assured  of  it.  We  must  have  patience 
and  carry  our  complaints  to  Jesus.  He 
knows  what  is  best  for  us." 

About  this  time  a  man  was  suddenly 
sent  into  eternity  by  the  fall  of  a  tree.  He 
had  lived  without  God  in  the  world  and 
was  now  sent  into  eternity  without  a  mo- 
ment's warning.  It  created  a  deep  sensa- 
tion in  the  community.  Mr.  Hidden  im- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  147 

proved  the  occasion  and  endeavored  to  deep- 
en the  feeling.  The  church  were  deeply 
affected,  and  impenitent  men  felt  the  un- 
certainty of  life  and  the  awful  destiny  that 
awaited  the  ungodly.  A  meeting  of  the 
church  was  held,  in  which  they  confessed 
their  sins  one  to  another  and  asked  forgive- 
ness. Mr.  Hidden  was  accustomed  to  re- 
mark that  it  was  useless  to  expect  a  revival 
until  the  church  could  confess  to  each  other 
their  faults.  Said  he,  "  if  they  don't  con- 
fess them  to  each  other  they  will  not  to 
God."  At  this  church  meeting  he  said, 
"  Now  brethren  and  sisters,  we  have  got  to 
work  hard  to  get  back  where  we  were 
eight  years  since.  But  we  can  get  back  ; 
God  will  help  us  and  we  shall  feel  enough 
better  when  we  get  where  we  ought  to  be  to 
pay  us  for  our  pains." 

The  church  was  soon  roused  to  activity. 
Said  Mr.  Hidden,  "  This  was  literally  a  re- 
vival of  the -church.  This  is  what  consti- 
tutes a  revival,  viz.  to  have  every  member 


148  MEMOIB    OF 

of  the  church  alive  to  duty."  But  this  work 
of  grace  was  by  no  means  confined  to  the 
church.  There  were  not  less  than  fifty 
hopeful  conversions ;  more  than  thirty  of 
whom  joined  his  church ;  the  rest  went  to 
other  churches.  This  season  of  mercy  was 
enjoyed  with  deep  gratitude  by  Mr.  Hidden*. 
His  joy  at  the  conversion  of  a  sinner  was 
unbounded.  A  thank  offering  was  contin- 
ually made  to  God.  No  man  ever  felt  more 
the  necessity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  conversion 
of  the  soul.  He  had  no  confidence  m 
means  only  so  far  as  the  Spirit's  influence  at- 
tended them. 

A  good  degree  of  interest  was  preserved 
in  the  church  till  1827,  when  another  show- 
er of  mercy  descended  to  make  glad  the 
church  of  God.  This  was  a  season  of  great 
interest.  There  were  about  thirty  hopeful 
conversions  to  Christ. 

In  1829,  he  enjoyed  another  revival. 
This  work  of  grace  began  in  the  centre  of 
the  town.  A  young  man  had  attended 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  149 

school  at  Newhampton  and  while  there  ex- 
perienced the  influence  of  divine  grace. 
He  returned  late  in  the  autumn  with  a  strong 
desire  to  do  good,  to  lead  his  friends  and 
associates  to  embrace  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Prayer  meetings  were  commenced  through 
his  instrumentality  and  many  were  induced 
to  attend.  Mr.  Hidden  improved  every 
opportunity  to  deepen  the  impression  already 
begun  and  roused  the  church  to  prayer  and 
effort.  The  interest  increased.  The  whole 
congregation  were  deeply  affected.  Never 
did  they  wrestle  harder  at  the  throne  of 
grace  than  at  this  time.  In  the  church 
were  some  who  had  sustained  their  pastor 
from  almost  his  first  settlement.  They  had 
witnessed  many  a  refreshing  from  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord.  They  felt  that  this  would  be 
die  last  work  of  divine  grace  they  might  ev- 
er witness  this  side  eternity.  Many,  fervent 
and  importunate  were  the  prayers  they  ad- 
dressed to  heaven.  So  deep  was  the  feel- 
ing that,  for  several  Sabbaths,  the  after- 


150  MEMOIR    OP 

noons  were  spent  in  prayer  and  conversa- 
tion with  those  who  were  solicitious  for  the 
salvation  of  their  souls.  For  many  months, 
meetings  for  inquiry  were  held.  In  these 
Mr.  Hidden  seemed  more  like  an  inhabitant 
of  heaven  than  like  mortal.  He  was  filled 
with  rapturous  joy.  He  felt  a  permanent 
and  lively  interest  in  the  young.  This 
work  of  mercy  was  confined  almost  exclu- 
sively to  them.  To  see  the  lambs  over 
whom  he  had  watched  coming  into  the  fold 
of  Christ  filled  him  with  holy  emotions. 

This  work  continued  through  the  winter 
of  1829,  and  spring  of  1830.  It  resulted 
in  the  salvation  of  thirty,  or  forty  souls, 
most  of  whom  united  with  the  church  soon 
after. 

In  1831,  the  church  had  another  season  of 
spiritual  interest.  A  protracted  meeting, 
was  held  in  the  early  part  of  the  summer  in 
which  Mr.  Hidden  was  assisted  by  clergy- 
men from  neighboring  towns.  This  was 
the  first  time  he  ever  resorted  to  unusual 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  151 

means  of  grace,  or  received  special  aid  from 
abroad.  Hitherto  his  people  had  listened  to 
the  truths  of  the  Bible  ;  believed  them  and 
were  saved.  Though  himself  of  a  sanguine 
temperament,  he  sedulously  guarded  against 
any  unnatural  excitement  of  the  passions. 
He  taught  his  people  to  discriminate  be- 
tween the  transient  emotions  of  nature  and 
the  deep  and  permanent  workings  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  He  appealed  to  reason,  to 
common  sense.  At  this  time  protracted 
meetings  had  been  held  in  various  places 
and  attended  with  signal  success.  After 
much  deliberation  and  earnest  prayer  on  the 
part  of  the  church  and  pastor,  a  season  for 
this  purpose  was  designated.  The  church 
had  opened  their  hearts  wide.  They  had 
strong  faith.  Their  prayers  were  importu- 
nate. They  employed  every  means  for 
preparing  the  way  of  the  Lord.  At  the  ap- 
pointed season  people  came  from  all  parts  of 
the  town  and  from  neighboring  towns  also. 
The  house  was  crowded  with  those  anxious 


152  MEMOIR    OF 

to  hear  the  truth  and  gain  the  salvation  of 
their  souls  through  Jesus  Christ.  Sermons 
adapted  to  the  occasion,  were  preached  and 
set  home  to  the  heart  and  conscience. 
Prayers  were  offered  in  faith.  The  Spirit 
descended  and  many  leaped  for  joy.  They 
found  peace  in  believing  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

The  result  of  this  meeting  was  glorious. 
Not  less  than  fifty  were  hopefully  convert- 
ed, though  only  about  thirty  subsequently 
united  with  the  church.  The  rest  united 
with  other  churches  in  neighboring  towns. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  following  year,  a 
similar  meeting  was  held  ;  but  the  result  of 
it  was  by  no  means  equal  to  the  preceding. 
The  church  however  was  benefited  there- 
by. Spme  drops  of  mercy  distilled.  The 
hearts  of  Christians  were  warmed.  Their 
graces  were  revived.  The  church  grew 
and  multiplied. 

In  recording  the  revivals  which  Mr.  Hid- 
den witnessed  in  his  church,  we  haveallud- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  153 

ed  to  those  only  of  marked  importance. 
There  were  others  of  less  note  in  which  the 
mercy  of  God  was  displayed.  His  church 
was  a  church  of  revivals.  We  doubt  if  any 
other  enjoyed  more  in  the  same  period 
of  time.  It  was  always  made  the  occasion 
of  special  prayer  if  the  church  did  not  ex- 
perience the  Spirit's  special  influence.  Mr. 
Hidden  was  never  satisfied  with  preaching 
from  year  to  year  and  not  see  the  word  set 
home  to  the  heart  and  conscience.  He  al- 
ways felt  that  something  was  wrong  in  the 
pastor  or  church.  He  endeavored  to  exam- 
ine his  own  heart  and  life,  and  humble  hint- 
self  before  God.  His  closet  witnessed  his 
tears  of  contrition,  and  his  strong  aspirations 
for  more  holiness,  nearer  conformity  to  the 
will  of  heaven.  He  endeavored  to  be  like 
his  blessed  Master,  and  to  make  the  mem- 
bers of  his  church  eminent  for  holiness. 
Lukewarmness  and  apathy  found  no  coun«- 
tenance  with  him.  He  felt  that  no  church 
had  a  right  to  be  considered  the  church  of 


154  MEMOIR  OF 

Christ  if  his  Spirit  dwelt  not  in  it.  Conse- 
quently he  acted  on  this  principle,  and  revi- 
val followed  revival  in  quick  succession. 

Nor  are  we  to  judge  of  the  extent  of  his 
influence  arid  usefulness  from  the  revivals  in 
his  own  church  and  the-number  added  there- 
to. His  influence  was  by  no  means  limited 
to  his  own  people.  It  is  true,  more  than 
five  hundred  were  added  to  his  church  who 
had  been  converted  through  his  instrument- 
ality. But  this  is  not  half  the  number  of 
those  who  believed  on  Christ  through  his 
preaching.  His  influence  was  felt  over  a 
large  extent  of  territory.  He  was  the  great 
Apostle  in  all  that  region  in  which  he  dwelt. 
He  was  the  sun  around  which  lesser  planets 
harmoniously  revolved.  When  he  settled 
in  Tamworth  there  was  no  church  in  Eaton, 
Ossipee,  Effingham,  Newfield,  or  Sandwich. 
He  was  consequently  the  only  Congrega- 
tional preacher  for  all  these  towns.  They 
looked  upon  him  as  their  spiritual  guide. 
They  resorted  to  his  meetings.  He  went 


SAMTTEL    HIDDEN.  155 

from  town  to  town  preaching  "  the  word." 
Occasional  Sabbaths  were  spent  in  these 
places.  But  during  the  week  he  preached 
in  private  houses  and  school  houses,  or  barns. 
It  was  his  common  practice  to  ride  ten,  or 
fifteen  miles,  once  or  twice  a  week  to  preach 
in  these  destitute  places.  Thus  he  was 
rearing  up  churches  in  the  wilderness.  He 
had  here  Christians  zealous  for  the  honor  of 
Christ. 

Ossijpee. 

In  1806,  a  church  was  gathered  in  Ossi- 
pee  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Hidden, 
consisting  of  twenty  members.  To  this 
number  there  were  added  subsequently  about 
forty  through  his  instrumentality.  This  in- 
fant church,  surrounded  by  foes  and  beset 
by  temptations,  he  fostered  with  the  same 
care  a  mother  bestows  upon  her  infant  child. 
As  often  as  duty  would  allow  he  broke  to 
them  the  bread  of  life.  He  visited  the 


MEMOIR    OF 

members  of  the  church,  strengthened  their 
resolutions  and  exhorted  them  to  stand  fast 
in  the  Lord.  He  often  came  among  them 
unexpectedly,  and  calling  on  some  beloved 
family  would  exclaim  with  a  hearty  shake  of 
the  hand,  "  Well,  I  have  come  to  preach  to 
you.  Come,  where  shall  we  hold  the  meet- 
ing, here  at  your  house,  or  at  some  other 
place  ?  We  must  make  haste,  I  must  re- 
turn to-night ;  but  I  can't  go  without  preach- 
ing with  you."  Forthwith  the  whole  neigh- 
borhood would  be  in  agitation  ;  men  would 
leave  their  fields,  and  women  their  dairies 
"to  hear  the  good  man  preach."  The 
house  would  soon  be  crowded  and  he  would 
preach  with  demonstration  and  power. 
These  meetings  were  of  a  most  interesting 
character.  The  people  came  together  spon- 
taneously, literally  "  hungry  for  preaching." 
It  did  them  good.  Their  faith  was  strength- 
ened. Their  hopes  confirmed.  They  had 
a  foretaste  of  heaven.  Mr.  Hidden  felt 
these  to  be  most  precious  seasons  to  his  own 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN. 


157 


spirit.  He  would  often  say,  after  having 
preached  on  such  occasion,  "  There,  I  feel 
better.  Preaching  does  me  good." 

He  inspired  a  deep  reverence  in  all  who 
saw  him.  They  felt  he  was  the  messenger 
of  God,  a  prophet  of  the  Most  High.  They 
felt  too  that  he  was  their  spiritual  friend. 

At  one  time  going  into  Ossipee  to  preach, 
he  passed  some  men  laboring  near  the  road- 
side. They  saw  him  passing  and  took  off 
their  hats  in  token  of  respect.  One  man 
however  did  not  observe  him  until  he  had 
passed  beyond  him.  He  felt  that  he  had 
offered  an  indignity  to  the  man  of  God. 
How  to  atone  for  it  he  knew  not.  But  ob- 
serving Mr.  Hidden  to  stop  some  ways  be- 
yond to  converse  with  a  stranger,  he  ran 
along  the  field  beyond  him  and  there  busied 
himself  in  some  mock-labor  until  he  should 
pass  by.  Soon  he  rode  up  and  the  man 
made  a  most  respectful  bow,  "  hat  in  hand." 
"  Why,"  said  Mr.  Hidden,  "  I  thought  I 
saw  you  back  there  just  now."  He  spoke 


158  MEMOIR    OP 

this  with  such  a  penetrating  look  and  arch- 
ness of  meaning  that  the  man  thought  he 
was  betrayed  aod,  with  blushes,  confessed 
the  whole. 

At  another  time  passing  a  school  house  in 
which  he  sometimes  preached,  the  pupils 
besought  their  instructress  to  permit  them 
to  meet  "  the  minister,"  seeing  him  upon 
rising  ground.  Permission  was  granted. 
They  in  silence  and  with  modest  smiles, 
took  their  stand  on  either  side  of  the  road  ; 
and  as  he  passed  bowed  and  courtesied. 
This  scene  deeply  affected  Mr.  Hidden. 
He  lighted  from  his  horse  and  blessed  the 
little  immortals  and  commended  them  to 
God  in  a  most  fervent  prayer. 

"  Even  children  followed  with  endearing  wile, 
And  plucked  his  gown,  to  share  the  good  man's  smile; 
His  ready  smile  a  parent's  warmth  expressed, 
Their  welfare  pleased  him,  and  their  cares  distressed." 

So  well  did  the  people  know  that  he 
came  among  them  only  to  preach  and  pray, 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN. 


159 


that  once  passing  through  the  town  on  his 
way  to  some  more  remote  place,  the  people 
seeing  him,  followed,  supposing  he  would 
preach  at  a  certain  house.  It  is  true,  he 
called  at  this  house  but  only  to  inquire  after 
health.  But  they  came  in  and  besought 
him  to  preach.  This  was  just  what  he 
wished,  but  did  not  expect.  He  preached 
and  was  obliged  to  ride  in  the  night  as  a 
consequence. 

Having  at  one  time  appointed  a  meeting 
at  a  private  house  and  the  people  being 
assembled,  he  called  for  a  Bible.  The  man 
was  a  miser  and  consequently  thought  more 
of  a  bright  dollar  than  of  a  new  Bible.  He 
however  presented  Mr.  Hidden  with  an 
apology  for  a  Bible.  Its  leaves  were  shat- 
tered and  a  considerable  portion  of  it  gone. 
That  part  in  which  he  had  selected  his  text, 
before  leaving  home,  was  torn  out.  "  Have 
you  not  a  whole  Bible  ?"  asked  Mr.  Hid- 
den. "  TJiere  is  as  much  as  you  will  be 
nble  to  preach  from  to-day,"  stammered  the 


;•* 

160  MEMOIR    OF 

man.  He  thought  there  was  truth  in  the 
remark  and  selected  another  text  without 
gainsaying. 

September,  1829,  this  church  settled  a 
pastor.  Few  in  number  and  limited  in  re- 
sources they  were  obliged  to  make  sacrifices. 
They  did  it  cheerfully.  Any  plan  suggest- 
ed by  him  met  their  cordial  approbation. 
They  had  already  erected  a  convenient 
house,  at  the  dedication  of  which  he  preach- 
ed>  and  now  they  selected  one  to  be  their 
spiritual  guide.  This  was  the  occasion  of 
great  joy  to  him.  He  felt  how  much  they 
needed  some  one  to  minister  unto  them  in 
spiritual  things  continually.  The  church 
multiplied  and  the  cause  of  Christ  prospered. 
But  they  never  loved  Mr.  Hidden  the  less. 
They  looked  upon  him  as  their  father. 
They  sought  his  counsel  in  all  difficult  cases. 
They  abided  by  his  decisions.  He  never 
withdrew  his  care  from  them.  In  the  revi- 
vals which  the  church  afterwards  enjoyed 
he  was  present.  The  Lord  added  unto  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  161 

church  daily  such  as  were  ordained  unto 
life.  In  relating  their  experiences,  it  is  re- 
marked, that  almost  all  referred  their  first  re- 
ligious impressions  to  some  sermon  he  had 
preached,  prayer  offered,  or  some  precious 
word  he  had  spoken. 

The  difficulties  which  the  church  after- 
wards experienced  occasioned  unspeakahle 
sorrow.  For  whole  nights  he  gave  no 
sleep  to  his  eyes  nor  slumber  to  his  eyelids. 
He  prayed  that  the  divisions  might  be 
healed  and  that  he  who  had  been  constituted 
their  spiritual  guide  might  prove  in  heart 
and  life  what  he  had  pledged  himself  to  be. 
But  in  this  his  hopes  were  blasted.  Said 
he,  "  I  have  never  had  my  heart  wrung  with 
such  anguish  in  all  the  trials  I  have  wit- 
nessed. This  is  a  bitter  cup.  It  seems  as 
though  the  Lord  was  making  a  trial  of  my 
faith." 

The  church  however  was  preserved.  It 
has  since  experienced  the  displays  of  divine 

grace.     They  have  continued  to    enjoy   the 
11 


162  MEMOIR    OF 

preached  word.  The  wilderness  and  the 
solitary  place  have  been  made  glad  for 
those, 

"  Who  stand  on  Zion's  hill  ! 

Who  bring  salvation  on  their  tongues, 

And  words  of  peace  reveal  !" 

Sandwich. 

Sandwich,  like  Ossipee,  had  been  desti- 
tute of  a  church  until  1814,  and  without  a 
settled  ministry,  until  1827.  This  was  also 
the  field  of  Mr.  Hidden's  usefulness  and  la- 
bors. With  no  Congregational  preacher, 
they  were  accustomed  to  ride  ten  miles,  or 
more,  to  attend  his  preaching.  His  influ- 
ence on  this  town  was  great.  The  revivals 
which  commenced  at  home  extended  here. 
He  spent  occasional  Sabbaths  with  them  and 
often  preached  during  the  week.  They 
welcomed  him  as  their  spiritual  guide. 
They  joyed  at  his  approach  and  wept  at 
his  departure.  All  sought  his  company. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  163 

He  had  here  some  choice  spirits  who  loved 
him  as  their  life.  Their  houses  were  ever 
open  for  his  reception.  He  went  among 
them  to  labor.  He  preached  in  barns,  school 
houses  and  private  dwellings.  They  hast- 
ed to  the  place  of  worship.  They  were  fed 
with  heavenly  manna.  Said  Mr.  Hidden, 
'•  I  love  to  preach  to  the  people  of  Sand- 
wich, they  love  preaching  so  well." 

In  1814,  a  church  was  gathered  through 
his  influence  in  connexion  with  the  Mission- 
ary labor  and  influence  of  Rev.  William 
Cogswell.  He  administered  to  them  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  ex- 
horted them  to  be  united  and  steadfast  in 
the  Lord.  He  cherished  this  little  flock 
with  his  warmest  affections.  He  conceived 
them  to  be  a  branch  of  his  own  family. 
He  warned  them  of  their  danger.  He  estab- 
lished them  in  the  faith.  He  fed  them  with 
spiritual  food.  He  endeavored  to  train  them 
for  higher  and  holier  scenes  in  heaven. 


164  MEMOIR    OF 

"  And  as  a  bird  each  fond  endearment  tries, 
To  ternpt  its  new-fledged  offspring  to  the  skies, 
He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  dull  delay, 
Allured  to  brighter  worlds,  and  led  the  way." 

He  saw  this  little  church  at  length  able 
to  settle  a  pastor.  He  rejoiced  that  they  were 
to  have  a  shepherd  to  lead  them  in  green 
pastures  and  by  still  waters.  For  this  he 
had  long  prayed.  They  had  already  erected 
a  house  of  worship  and  dedicated  it  to  Al- 
mighty God,  he  preaching  on  the  occasion. 
In  1827,  a  pastor  was  installed  over  this  in- 
fant church.  It  has  since  enjoyed  the  out- 
pourings of  the  Spirit.  Its  numbers  great- 
ly increased.  During  his  whole  life  he 
continued  to  exercise  a  parental  care  over 
it.  In  their  seasons  of  revivals  he  was 
there.  His  presence  was  deemed  indispens- 
able. The  people  almost  felt  that  nothing 
could  be  done  without  him  :  that  no  man's 
prayers  prevailed  like  his  at  the  court  of 
heaven. 

In  a  sermon  of  his   preached    before    this 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  165 

church  and  people  he  holds  the  following 
language. 

"  To  you  my  brethren  and  sisters  I  must 
address  a  few  words.  The  Lord  has  won- 
derfully preserved  you.  He  has  blessed 
you  even  beyond  what  you  had  anticipated. 
To  you  this  is  an  interesting  occasion.  You 
have  one  now  to  break  unto  you  continually 
the  bread  of  life.  He  will  feed  you  with 
knowledge  and  understanding.  He  will 
counsel  you  in  trials.  He  will  administer 
consolation  under  affliction.  He  will  visit 
you  in  sickness  and  pray  for  your  souls. 
Yes,  my  brethren,  he  will  preach  your 
funeral  sermons !  When  the  soul  has  gone 
to  its  reward  he  will  tell  of  your  deeds  and 
console  those  left  to  mourn.  This  is  a  sad 
office.  Oh,  how  sad,  if  the  soul  departs 
unreconciled  to  God  ! 

It  becomes  you  first  to  pray  for  yourselves 
and  pastor.  Prayer  must  not  be  neglected. 
The  prophets  prayed  and  God  heard  them. 
The  Apostles  and  Martyrs  prayed  and  God 


166  MEMOIR    OF 

heard  them  too.  You  pray  in  faith  and  you 
shall  be  heard.  You  should  pray  lest  you 
fall  into  temptation,  lest  you  become  cold  in 
your  affections.  You  should  pray  for  your 
pastor.  He  needs  your  prayers.  Pray  that 
he  may  be  guided  into  all  truth ;  that  he 
may  have  wisdom  to  direct  his  steps  ;  that 
he  may  go  in  and  out  before  you  in  all  sin- 
cerity and  love. 

You  should  pray  for  union.  Union  is 
strength.  United,  you  stand  ;  divided,  you 
fall.  Oh  !  if  disunion  and  discord,  wrang- 
lings  and  hard  feelings  creep  into  this 
church,  God  only  knows  the  baneful  effects 
which  will  result !  Stand  ye  firm  and  im- 
moveable.  Turn  not  to  the  right  hand  nor 
to  the  left.  Let  it  ever  be  said,  "  see  how 
these  Christians  love  one  another.  God  is 
a  God  of  union.  He  frowns  on  him  who 
rends  and  divides.  If  you  have  hard  feel- 
ings go  right  to  the  throne  of  mercy  and 
banish  them.  Let  love  be  without  dissim- 
ulation. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  167 

Oh,  my  brethren,  I  rejoice  with  (fear  and 
trembling  for  this  church.  You  are  my 
children  in  Christ.  I  have  preached  unto 
you  the  gospel,  and  I  have  tried  to  feed  you 
with  such  meat  as  was  suited  to  your  wants. 
I  have  been  with  you  in  prosperity  and  in 
adversity.  I  have  stood  by  your  sick  beds 
and  administered  the  consolations  of  the 
gospel.  I  have  sprinkled  holy  water  upon 
you  in  baptism  and  have  heard  you  cove- 
nant before  men  and  God  to  be  his  forever. 
I  have  prayed  for  you  and  your  children. 
And  now  I  am  old,  gray  headed.  My  days 
are  almost  numbered.  I  must  soon  stand 
before  God  in  judgment.  Oh,  shall  it  be 
found  that  the  blood  of  any  of  you  is  upon 
my  skirts  !  God  forbid.  Shall  any  of  you 
upon  whom  I  have  invoked  the  name  of  the 
Father,  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
fail  to  meet  me  in  heaven  ?  Brethren,  this 
is  an  awful  reflection  !  I  tremble  while  I 
stand  in  this  sacred  desk  and  look  around  on 
these  precious  souls,  and  think  of  the  awful 


168  MEMOIR    OF 

scenes  of  the  judgment  day.  There  pas- 
•tors  and  people,  parents  and  children,  will 
be  separated  forever !  Oh,  the  thought  of 
such  a  separation  !  Let  it  not  be  so  with 
us.  God  is  my  witness  that  without  ceasing 
I  make  mention  of  you  always  in  my  prayers. 
I  now  commend  you  to  God  and  the  word 
of  his  grace.  Pray,  brethren.  Do  pray. 
God  will  hear  your  prayers.  And  we  shall 
get  to  heaven  at  length  through  Jesus  Christ 
strengthening  us." 

Such  was  his  love  for  this  people  and 
such  his  apprehensions.  How  far  the  latter 
have  been  verrified  time  has  shown.  But 
this  much  is  certain,  his  love  for  them  was 
deep  and  pervading.  Well  may  his  mem- 
ory be  dear  to  this  people.  Well  may  they 
cherish  it.  He  first  loved  them.  He  first 
taught  them  to  lisp  the  name  of  Jesus.  Un- 
grateful must  they  now  be  to  forget  the 
warmest  friend,  the  safest  guide,  the  unerr- 
mv  counsellor,  and  the  humblest  Christian. 

O  ' 

Let  them  venerate  his  name,  perpetuate  his 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  169 

memory,  listen  to  his  advice,  follow  his  ex- 
ample, and  seek  to  meet  him  in  heaven. 
This  was  the  burden  of  his  prayers.  He 
prayed  long  for  them.  His  closet  witnessed 
his  devotion,  and  his  tears.  The  very  pa- 
per on  which  he  penned  the  words  we  have 
just  quoted  was  bedewed  with  his  tears. 
Indications  of  them  are  on  every  page. 
Precious  tears  were  those !  They  were  all 
seen  by  God  himself.  They  had  their  rise 
in'  a  soul  whose  love  was  deep,  almost 
boundless.  They  gushed  from  an  overflow- 
ing heart.  The  sympathies  of  his  nature 
were  all  warmly  enlisted.  He  saw  the  dan- 
gers that  beset  this  little  band  he  had  cher- 
ished. But  he  weeps  no  more  ! 

North  Sandiinch. 

This  little  church  is  situated  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  Sandwich,  about  six  miles  from 
the  one  we  have  just  mentioned.  Former- 
ly it  was  united  to  the  other,  but  in  1832,  it 


170  MEMOIR   OF 

was  formed  into  a  distinct  church.  Hither- 
to it  has  united  with  that  in  the  support  of 
the  ministry,  one  pastor  being  settled  over 
both  churches.  This  enjoyed  preaching 
one  third  of  the  time.  This  church  is  k> 
cated  in  an  isolated  spot,  surrounded  almost 
by  an  amphitheatre  of  mountains  and  hills. 
Here  Mr.  Hidden  was  early  accustomed  to 
preach.  Here  lived  a  little  band  of  kindred 
spirits.  Announcing  his  intention  to  preach, 
the  information  was  soon  given  to  all  the 
families. 

"  With  ready  zeal  each  honest  rustic  ran," 

to  hear  proclaimed  the  truths  which  were 
spirit  and  life  to  his  soul.  He  trained  up  a 
little  band  for  heaven. 

"  A  skilful  workman  he 

In  God's  great  moral  vineyard ;  what  to  prune 
With  cautious  hand  he  knew,  what  to  uproot; 
What  were  mere  weeds,  and  what  celestial  plant* 
Which  had  unfading  vigor  in  them,  knew ; 
Nor  knew  alone,  but  watched  them  night  and  day. 
And  reared  and  nourished  them,  till  fit  to  be 
Transplanted  to  the  Paradise  above." 


SAMUEL-    HIDDEN.  171 

One  time  having  an  appointment  to 
preach  at  this  place  and  assaying  to  go 
there,  found  the  road  blocked  up  with 
snow.  Consequently  he  called  on  a  family 
with  whom  he  was  partially  acquainted, 
told  them  what  his  business  was  and  said, 
"  why  can't  we  have  preaching  here  ?  I 
can't  get  there.  Come,  call  in  your  neigh- 
bors and  I  will  preach."  They  cheerfully 
acceeded  to  the  proposal  and  as  many  came 
as  circumstances  would  allow.  Some 
months  after  a  man  came  to  him  in  great  an- 
guish of  spirit  to  know  what  he  should  do  to 
be  saved.  Said  he,  I  "  have  not  had  a  mo- 
ment's peace  since  you  preached  in  our 
neighborhood.  I  am  bowed  down  to  the 
earth.  Tell  me,  Sir,  what  I  must  do." 
Mr.  Hidden  directed  him  to  the  Lamb  of 
God  and  commended  him  to  God  at  the 
throne  of  grace.  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  pray 
for  yourself."  He  did  so  and  left  the  house 
a  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus. 

•'  Ah !"  said    Mr.     Hidden,    "  I    never 


172  MEMOIR    OF 

thought  of  any  good  coming  from  that  meet- 
ing, yet  God  has  saved  an  immortal  spirit  by 
means  of  it." 

He  ever  cherished  a  parental  regard  for 
this  little  church.  He  preached  here  occa- 
sionally until  his  death. 

Thus  we  see  Mr.  Hidden  planting  these 
little  colonies.  He  fostered  them  by  his 
prayers  and  labors.  He  had  no  desire  to 
build  up  one  church  only  ;  his  views  were 
broad.  He  saw  that  by  planting  those  little 
colonies  they  would  become  flourishing 
churches  with  places  of  worship  dedicated 
to  Almighty  God  and  those  to  watch  for 
their  souls  as  they  that  must  give  an  ac- 
count. He  foresaw  that  in  future  years  glo- 
rious revivals  would  be  witnessed  in  them. 
This  proved  to  be  the  fact.  Great  have 
been  the  results  ;  greater  than  others  could 
have  anticipated.  It  must  have  been  a 
source  of  great  delight  to  Mr.  Hidden's  pi- 
ous heart,  to  see  these  little  churches  plant- 
ed in  the  wilderness  increasing  in  numbers. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  173 

growing  in  influence  and  giving  indications 
of  future  greatness.  But  he  ever  felt  that, 
though  he  had  planted  and  watered,  it  was 
God  who  gave  the  increase. 


174  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER  VII[. 

His  interest  in  education — Knowledge  of 
the  classics — His  interest  in  the  young — 
His  patriotism — Benevolence —  Famili- 
arity with  others — Cheerfulness. 

Hitherto  we  have  spoken  of  Mr.  Hidden 
only  in  connection  with  his  own  church  and 
other  churches  planted  through  his  instru- 
mentality. 

We  are  now  to  speak  of  him  in  his  other 
departments  of  labor  and  influence. 

Mr.  Hidden  took  a  lively  interest  in  the 
education  of  the  rising  generation.  When 
he  came  to  Tamworth  but  little  progress 
had  been  made.  There  were  but  four 
school  houses  in  the  town.  The  amount 
of  money  for  the  support  of  these  was  small. 
The  inhabitants  generally  were  too  much 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  175 

engrossed  in  the  cares  incident  to  a  new 
country,  to  do  much  for  the  instruction  of 
their  children  who  could  not  he  spared  from 
labor  without  great  sacrifices  and  when 
they  might  be  spared  often  no  competent 
teacher  was  to  be  found.  From  the  several 
acts  of  the  town  it  appears  they  were  ready 
to  make  what  sacrifices  might  be  made. 
School  houses  were  early  erected,  and  teach- 
ers employed  so  far  as  circumstances  would 
allow. 

Mr.  Hidden  gave  a  new  impulse.  He 
early  engaged  in  teaching.  This  he  did 
with  a  special  reference  to  qualifying  young 
ladies  and  gentlemen  for  the  important  and 
responsible  duties  of  teachers.  These  were 
what  the  town  at  that  time  most  needed.  He 
soon  raised  up  teachers  well  qualified  to  in- 
struct in  the  rudiments  of  education. 
Schools  multiplied  and  a  general  interest 
was  felt  by  the  people.  Previous  to  this 
various  superstitions  prevailed  among  the  in- 
habitants such  as  are  natural  to  a  new  settle- 


176  MEMOIR    OF 

ment  and  such  eventful  periods.     But — 

"  Where'er  he  went, 
This  lesson  still  he  taught,  To  fear  no  ill 
But  sin,  no  being  but  Almighty  God." 

He  induced  the  town  to  devise  more  lib- 
eral measures  for  the  support  of  common 
schools.  Accordingly  they  raised  more 
money  than  the  law  required.  He  had  the 
care  of  all  the  schools.  He  stimulated  the 
pupils  to  more  vigorous  study  by  holding  up 
to  them  characters  worthy  their  imitation  ; 
by  unfolding  to  them  the  destinies  that 
awaited  ;  by  pointing  out  a  life  of  honora- 
ble deeds  as  the  legitimate  result  of  close 
application  to  study  in  youth,  and  by  re- 
minding them  of  the  claims  which  their  pa- 
rents had  to  their  unremitted  toil.  He  al- 
ways made  these  visits  cheerful  and  interest- 
ing. 

During  the  seasons  in  which  the  com- 
mon schools  were  not  in  operation  he  opened 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  177 

his  own  house  and  instructed  classes  in  the 
various  branches  of  education. 

The  following  has  been  kindly  prepared 
for  this  work  by  a  gentleman  who  enjoyed 
his  instruction. 

"  Agreeably  to  your  request  I  seat  myself 
to  pen  you  a  few  thoughts  relative  to  the 
character  of  Mr.  Hidden's  instruction.  I 
would  therefore  ask  you  to  imagine  yourself 
seated  in  his  reception  room  with  a  class  of 
ten  or  fifteen  pupils. 

During  the  whole  recitation  he  seems  ab- 
sorbed in  reflections  of  a  solemn  nature. 
He  feels  that  a  great  responsibility  is  resting 
upon  him  ;  that  he  is  moulding  characters 
for  eternity  ;  shaping  their  destinies.  Will 
these  grow  up  to  be  useful  members  in  soci- 
ety ?  Will  they  guard  well  the  liberties  of 
their  country,  purchased  with  blood,  when 
we  who  are  now  acting  our  part,  are  sleep- 
ing beneath  the  clod  ?  Will  these  become 
firm  pillars  in  the  spiritual  temple  of  the 
Lord  Almighty  ?  Will  they  adhere  to  the 
12 


178  MEMOIR    Of 

faith  of  their  fathers  and  sustain  the  prec- 
ious ordinances  of  the  gospel  ?  Or  will 
they  prove  recreant  to  their  highest  interest  ? 
Prove  a  curse  to  their  country  and  a  scourge 
to  the  church  ?  Will  they  finally  be  admit- 
ted to  God's  right  hand  and  spend  an  eter- 
nity in  celebrating  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love — 

"  Sing  loud,  and  wave 

Their  palms  of  triumphs  !  sing  where  is  thy  sting. 
O  Death !  Where  is  thy  victory,  O  grave  ! 
Thanks  be  to  God,  eternal  thanks  who  gave 
Us  victory  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.1* 

Or  shall  they  sink  to  a  night  of  eternal 
wailing  ?  Such  seem  to  be  the  thoughts 
that  occupied  his  mind.  We  saw  him — 

"  Burning  with  love  to  souls, 
Unquenchable,  and  mindful  still  of  his 
Great  charge  and  vast  responsibility." 

He  ever  seemed  to  feel  that  he  was  trans- 
acting business  for  eternity  and  to  do  good 
was  his  chief  delight.  As  a  teacher  I  think 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  179 

he  must  have  been  quite  accurate.  With 
the  classics  he  was  very  familiar.  He  un- 
derstood the  philosophy  of  language.  The 
Greek  and  Latin  were  favorite  studies.  He 
never  laid  them  aside  ;  but  rather  grew  in 
the  knowledge  of  them.  Never  shall  I  for- 
get the  interest  with  which  I  read  Virgil  to 
him.  This  Latin  poet  was  perfectly  famil- 
iar to  him.  He  had  an  exhaustless  fund  of 
anecdotes  and  illustrations  wherewith  to 
render  perspicuous  every  sentiment.  He 
carried  us  back  to  the  time  of  the  great  poet 
of  nature  and  we  seemed  to  live  amidst  the 
scenes  of  which  he  sung.  We  mingled  in 
the  strife  of  war,  the  din  of  battles,  the  rus- 
tic dance  and  the  hall  of  merriment.  He- 
roic valor  was  there  ;  Herculean  strength  ; 
undying  love  of  liberty,  friendship's  silken 
ties.  These  were  stirring  scenes  for  our 
youthful  spirits.  He  took  delight  in  witness- 
ing the  youthful  eye  sparkle  with  joy  and 
the  countenance  radiant  with  hope.  He 
endeavored  to  make  this  author  beloved  bv 


180  MEMOIR  or 

us.  He  succeeded.  We  vowed  eternal 
friendship  for  the  bard  that  could  throw  such 
a  charm  over  the  dull  realities  of  life,  and 
gild  nature  with  such  gorgeous  tints. 

Not  less  interesting  did  he  make  our  reci- 
tations in  Cicero.  The  history  of  Greece 
and  Rome  were  at  his  command.  Every 
battle  fought,  every  victory  won  or  lost ; 
every  interesting  anecdote  of  statesmen, 
poets,  and  orators  were  all  familiar.  His 
memory  was  a  store-house  of  whatever  had 
been  heroically  done  or  felicitously  said.  The 
facts  of  their  history,  the  deeds  of  their  he- 
roes, the  philosophy  of  their  sages,  were 
all  treasured  up.  The  thoughts  that  breathe 
and  words  that  burn  were  at  his  command. 
He  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  author ; 
pointed  out  the  beauties.  When  the  great 
orator  frowned  upon  the  traitor  Cataline,  he, 

"  Frowning  now  indignantly,  seemed 
As  if  offended  Justice,  from  his  eye, 
Streamed  forth  vindictive  wrath  !" 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  181 

I  have  never  seen  a  man  who  could  speak 
the  sentiments  of  his  heart  so  well  with  his 
eye^  and  the  expression  of  his  countenance. 
If  he  could  not  give  us  the  exact  shade  of 
meaning  by  words,  he  would  read  the  origin- 
al and  we  watch  his  countenance,  and  the 
truth  was  made  plain. 

He  read  the  Greek  with  great  fluency, 
In  reading  the  Testament,  all  the  powers  of 
his  great  mind  were  brought  into  action. 
Of  the  genius  and  philosophy  of  the  lan- 
guage, he  was  complete  master.  But  the 
great  truths  it  revealed  inspired  the  most 
elevated  thoughts  and  the  deepest  venera- 
tion. The  difficult  parts  he  elucidated  by 
happy  illustrations  from  nature.  His  com- 
ments pa'rtook  of  a  profundity  of  theological 
knowledge  rarely  surpassed.  I  have  ever 
wondered  at  the  extent  of  his  views  and  the 
vastness  of  his  comprehension. 

"  His  intellectual  strength 
And  knowledge  vast,  to  men  of  lesser  minds 
Seemed  infinite  ;  yet,  from  his  high  pursuits, 


182  MEMOIR    OF 

And  reasonings  most  profound,  he  still  returned 
Home,  with  an  humbler  and  warmer  heart ; 
And  none  so  lowly  bowed  before  his  God." 

Had  he  been  placed  in  different  circum- 
stances ;  had  God  cast  his  lot  where — 

"  Thought  meeting  thought,  and  thought  awakening 

thought 
And  mingling  still  with  thought," 

he  would  have  shown  a  star  of  the  first  mag- 
nitude in  the  galaxy  of  literary  men.  He 
possessed  a  giant  intellect.  His  thoughts 
were  profound  ;  his  perception  quick  ;  he  sur- 
veyed vast  regions  at  once.  His  analytical 
powers  were  unsurpassed.  His  imagination 
was  lively ;  his  memory  vast,  his  judg- 
ment deep.  He  had  all  the  elements  of  a 
great  mind.  He  had  studied  human  nature 
with  great  accuracy.  He  looked 

"  Far  down 

Into  the  heart,  where  passion  wove  a  web 

Of  thousand,  thousand  threads,  in  grain  and  hu« 

All  different." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  183 

But  God  shapes  the  destinies  of  men.  He 
planted  him  in  the  wilderness  to  make  it 
vocal  with  praise.  His  influence,  in  the  wil- 
derness though  he  might  be,  was  greater 
than  that  of  almost  any  other  man.  Eterni- 
ty will  only  reveal  its  extent.  But  let  it  ev- 
er be  remembered  that  his — 

"  Main  design, 

In  all  his  contemplations,  was  to  trace, 
The  wisdom,  providence,  and  love  of  God, 
And  to  his  fellows,  less  observant,  show 
Them  forth." 

Not  only  did  the  youth  of  his  own  town 
avail  themselves  of  his  instruction,  but  great 
numbers  flocked  to  him  from  neighboring 
towns.  They  came  even  fifty,  or  sixty 
miles,  becoming  permanent  scholars. 

Not  only  did  he  teach  the  natural  and 
moral  sciences,  but  fitted  large  numbers  for 
the  higher  departments  of  instruction.  He 
instructed  many  for  entrance  upon  the  study 
of  medicine ;  of  others  for  the  study  of  Law  ; 


184  MEMOIR   OF 

and  great  numbers  for  Colleges.  Rarely 
has  any  private  man  qualified  more.  These 
men  are  now  in  their  spheres  shaping  the 
destinies  of  the  nation.  Their  influence  is 
felt  not  only  in  this  State  but  others.  Many 
of  them  are  men  of  eminence. 

He  also  assisted  others  in  the  study  of 
sacred  Theology.  These  have  been  teach- 
ing the  way  of  life  and  salvation.  Souls 
have  been  saved  through  their  instrumen- 
tality. 

Another  branch  of  Mr.  Hidden's  instruc- 
tion was  Sacred  Music.  He  early  mani- 
fested a  strong  passion  for  this  delightful 
branch  of  education.  He  felt  that  all  nature 
moved  in  wonted  harmony.  There  was 
something  in  music  which  corresponded  to 
that  within.  His  soul  was  most  in  harmony 
with  heaven.  To  sing  the  praises  thereof 
touched  cords  that  thrilled  with  the  keenest 
emotions.  Notes  of  music  waked  his  soul 
to  love  and  transport :  it  was  the  toc- 
sin of  his  soul. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  185 

On  coming  to  Tamworth  he  opened 
schools  and  qualified  many  to  lead  choirs. 
He  had  a  choice  choir  in  his  own  Church, 
of  which  he  was  always  the  chorister.  In 
all  his  meetings  he  pitched  the  tunes  and 
sung,  standing  erect  in  his  pulpit,  never  sit- 
ting after  the  commencment  of  service  until 
the  close  of  it.  He  continued  to  do  so 
through  life.  He  possessed  a  correct  ear 
for  music,  a  discriminating  taste,  a  strong, 
stentorian,  mellow  voice,  modulating  any 
note  from  the  base  to  the  treble.  There  was 
no  music  he  could  not  read  with  accuracy. 
He  taught  it  in  many  of  the  neighboring 
towns. 

He  was  also,  an  amateur  of  instrumental 
music.  The  Bass-viol  was  his  favorite  in- 
strument. With  this  he  discoursed  music 
to  admiration. 

Another  department  of  Mr.  Hidden's  use- 
fulness in  imparting  instruction  was  the  Bi- 
ble-class. To  this  he  devoted  himself  with 
zeal.  He  had  ever  lamented  the  igno- 


186  MEMOIR    OF 

ranee  of  the  Bible,  which  prevailed  in  the 
Churches  generally.  He  felt  that  more 
thorough  biblical  knowledge  was  the  great 
desideratum.  He  dreaded  ignorance  more 
than  any  vice.  Consequently,  early  in  his 
ministry  he  instituted  the  Bible-class,  and 
taught  with  great  success.  He  took  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  the  instruction  of  the  children 
on  the  Sabbath.  He  had  urged  upon  pa- 
rents the  duty  of  teaching  at  home  the  Cate- 
chism, that  most  invaluable  mode  of  impart- 
ing religious  knowledge.  This  was  gener- 
ally observed.  A  child  who  could  not  re- 
peat his  catechism  was  considered  a  disgrace 
to  the  community.  What,  find  in  those  days, 
a  child  ignorant  of  the  contents  of  that  little 
book  I  No  :  this  was  in  every  family. 
The  parents  every  Sabbath  evening  assem- 
bled their  children  and  asked  questions,  and 
they  answered  them  with  scrupulous  exact- 
ness. 

Such  was  Mr.    Hidden's  influence  in  the 
cause  of  educaticn  in  all  its  departments.  It 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  187 

is  true  he  was  honored  by  no  high  Degree* 
or  proud  Titles.  These  he  never  sought — 

"  Remote  from  towns  lie  ran  his  godly  race, 

Nor  e'er  had  changed,  nor  wished  to  change  his  place. 

Unpractised  he  to  fawn  or  seek  for  power, 

By  doctrines  fashioned  to  thn  varying  hour ; 

Far  other  aims  his  heart  had  learned  to  prize, 

More  bent  to  raise  the  wretched  than  to  rise." 

He  was  however  for  many  years  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Fryeburg 
Academy.  He  labored  for  its  prosperity  and 
deeply  lamented  the  troubles  which  so  long 
distracted  this  institution.  For  a  lono-  time 

O 

its  usefulness  was  suspended.  God  howev- 
er removed  some  of  its  enemies,  and  since 
it  has  continued  to  exert  a  salutary  influence 
on  the  community.  Mr.  Hidden  felt  a  live- 
ly interest  in  its  welfare  and  prayed  for  its 
success. 

His  Patriotism. 

As  we  have  already  seen,  Mr.  Hidden 
early  embraced  the  cause  of  his  suffering 


188  MEMOIR    OF 

country.  He  cheerfully  shared  in  her  suf- 
ferings, fought  her  battles,  and  won  her  vic- 
tories with  the  daring  spirits  of  '76.  His  was 
not  a  spirit  to  sit  down  in  ease  while  his 
country  bled.  He  preferred  sheding  his 
own  blood  to  ignominy.  Naturally  bold 
and  generous,  the  camp  and  the  -stirring 
scenes  of  waf  waked  his  chivalrous  soul. 

These  same  principles  which  actuated  his 
youth  guided  him  in  after  years.  He  loved 
his  country  devotedly,  and  rejoiced  in  her 
prosperity.  He  looked  to  the  "God  of 
Hosts"  for-  her  protection.  He  informed 
himself  accurately  of  all  the  great  political 
questions  of  the  limes,  weighed  the  argu- 
ments on  eithef  side,  and  formed  an  opinion 
of  their  merits.  He  felt  himself  interested 
in  whatever  concerned  the  public  good.  Be- 
cause he  had  taken  upon  him  the  office  and 
duties  of  the  ministry  he  never  dreamed, 
with  many  of  the  present  day,  that  he  must 
lay  aside  his  character  of  the  patriot  and  feel- 
ings of  a  soldier,  actuated  with  holy  motives. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  189 

Blood  and  carnage,  were  as  repugnant  to 
his  sensibilities  as  to  those  who  are  willing 
to  lay  aside  the  character  of  the  man  and 
sink  into  a  state  of  insignificance  where  little 
minds  repose.  He  held  that  religion  did  not 
require  him  to  sacrifice  any  inherent  princi- 
ple of  his  nature.  It  required  the  soldier  to 
lay  aside  his  arms  and  the  love  of  them  in 
times  of  peace,  but  when  the  alarm  of  dan- 
ger was  heard,  to  resume  them  again. 

He  often  remarked  that  he  could  "  not 
conceive  how  the  country  could  well  dis- 
pense with  the  talents  and  piety  of  those 
who  are  called  to  the  ministry.  The  priests 
were  formerly  commanded  to  sound  the 
trumpets  and  go  around  the  walls.  Moses 
must  stretch  his  hand  over  the  plain,  and 
Aaron  and  Hur  must  hold  it  up.  They  too 
were  interested  in  all  the  affairs  of  the 
state.  But  now  the  priest  must  observe  the 
silence  of  death.  He  must  stand  a  mere 
machine,  a  mummy  well  embalmed."  He 
thought  that  they  who  were  safe  guides  in 


190  MEMOIR    OF 

morals  and  religion  should  exercise  a  due 
influence  in  politics.  He  taught  his  people 
to  mingle  religion  in  all  the  transactions  of 
life,  not  to  lay  it  aside  as  some  costly  jewel 
to  be  looked  at  and  worn  on  special  occa- 
sions, but  that  it  should  be  an  every  day 
garment ;  that  it  should  pervade,  sanctify 
and  elevate  the  whole  life. 

He  was  as  far  removed  from  the  spirit 
and  conduct  of  the  demagogue  as  heaven  is 
from  earth.  He  looked  with  pity  upon  such 
a  man.  He  would  have  men  go  to  the  bal- 
lot-box unbiassed  and  fearless.  This  he  al- 
ways did.  This  was  a  sacred  right  due  to 
a  patriot  and  soldier.  He  gained  respect 
thereby.  No  man  will  be  despised  for  act- 
ing out  his  honest  principles.  It  is  not  in 
nature  to  do  it. 

The  difficulties  which  led  to  the  war  of 
1812,  he  had  devoutly  prayed  might  be 
amicably  adjusted.  But  had  he  seen  a  spir- 
it of  oppression  in  the  conduct  of  England, 
bis  was  not  a  voice  to  be  raised  against  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  19~1 

act  of  Congress.  Had  his  country  needed 
his  services  he  would  have  obeyed  her  sum- 
mons with  the  same  cheerfulness  and  spirit 
which  animated  his  youthful  bosom  at  the 
capture  of  Burgoyne.  The  anniversary  of 
our  Independance  was  to  him  a  season  of 
deep  gratitude  to  the  God  of  battles.  He 
always  took  this  occasion  to  remind  his  peo- 
ple of  the  sufferings  and  dangers,  the  noble, 
generous  patriotism  of  our  fathers  ;  of  the 
oppression  which  forced  them  to  arms  ;  and 
of  the  goodness  of  Jehovah  in  going  to  bat- 
tle with  them  ;  of  the  distinguished  privi- 
leges they,  their  posterity,  now  enjoyed  and 
the  obligations  under  which  they  were  laid 
to  respect  their  memory,  to  guard  well  the 
liberties  entrusted  and  to  return  grateful 
thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  his  signal  mer- 
cies. 

Previous  to  elections  he  was  accustomed 
to  preach  "  election  sermons."  In  these  he 
explained  and  enforced  the  duties  which, 
they,  as  citizens  owed  their  country,  and 


192  MEMOIR    OF 

the  manner  in  which  these  duties  should  be 
performed  ;  wrth  what  spirit  they  should  be 
actuated  ;  the  motives  which  should  lead  to 
action. 

These  were  delivered  with  a  spirit  of 
candor  and  fairness.  They  had  a  salutary 
effect  in  allaying  the  harsh  and  angry  feel- 
ings engendered  by  the  exciting  nature  of 
pending  controversies.  They  were  adapted 
to  remind  them  of  the  cognizance  which 
God  takes  of  all  actions  and  their  liability  to 
err  in  judgment.  He  always  opened  elec- 
tions with  an  address  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

He  officiated  as  chaplain  to  the  nine- 
teenth Regiment  of  Militia  for  about  thirty 
years.  When  thus  called  to  address  the 
Throne  of  mercy  he  never  lost  sight  of  his 
great  object,  viz.  to  do  good.  He  prayed 
with  much  fervor  and,  what  by  many  may 
be  deemed  almost  incredible,  some  have 
ascribed  their  first  permanent  religious  im- 
pressions to  the  prayers  he  offered  on  the 
field.  This  is  a  well  authenticated  fact. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  193 

Silence  every  where  prevailed  when  he  en- 
gaged in  this  solemn  act.  They  viewed 
him  as  the — 

"  Great  plenipotent  of  heaven, 
And  representative  of  God  on  earth." 

In  his  own  town  whenever  the  soldiers 
were  assembled  for  a  'drill1  they  were  drawn 
up  in  a  "  hollow-square,"  and  he  in  the 
midst  offered  devout  supplications  to  heaven. 
This  gave  a  solemnity  to  the  occasion. 

"  Light-thoughted  Mirth  grew  serious,  and  wept 
The  laugh  profane  sunk  in  a  sigh." 

He  felt  that  in  all  places  where  there  was 
a  heart,  there  was  an  opportunity  to  do  good. 
His  fellow  men  were  assembled  in  obedience 
to  the  laws  of  the  State.  It  was  his  duty 
to  encourge  this  obedience.  And  besides, 
an  opportunity  was  here  offered  him  to  sym- 
pathize with  them  under  the  burden  thus  im- 
posed. He  thereby  gained  their  esteem  ;  won 
13 


194  MEMOIR    OF 

tbeir  affections  and  prepared  the  way  for 
more  extensive  influence  over  their  minds  by 
removing  prejudices  which  naturally  exist 
between  such  men  and  the  preacher. 

His  Benevolence. 

Benevolence  was  a  prominent  characteris- 
tic of  Mr.  Hidden.  By  benevolence  we  do 
not  mean  simply  the  bestowal  of  this  world's 
goods,  but  we  mean  a  benevolence  in  feel- 
ing as  well  as  in  giving.  It  is  true,  his  house 
was  ever  an  asylum  for  the  needy  and  dis- 
tressed. Many  a  man  has  been  fed  at  his 
table  and  clothed  from  his  wardrobe.  Such 
were  his  circumstances  in  that  new  country, 
that  he  was  able  to  assist  the  poor.  He  em- 
ployed them  on  his  farm  and  paid  their  taxes. 
He  often  did  this  to  his  own  injury.  But 
the  law  of  love  was  in  his  heart.  It  lived 
there  and  glowed.  It  gave  character  to  his 
every  action. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  195 

•"  What  he  possessed  he  counted  not  his  own. 

But  like  a  faithful  steward  in  a  house 

Of  public  alms,  what  freely  he  received 

He  freel}  gave,  distributing  to  all 

The  helpless,  the  last  might  beyond  his  own 

Temperate  support,  and  reckoning  still  the  gift 

But  justice,  due  to  want." 

Many  a  school-boy  has  found  at  his  house 
what  he  despaired  of  enjoying  at  home. 
The  little  lads,  poor  and  hungry,  were  often 
called  in  by  his  wife  and  fed  with  a  kindness 
which  often  drew  tears  of  joy  from  the  little 
sufferers.  They  now  rise  up  to  pronounce 
blessings. 

The  various  benevolent  objects  of  the  day 
shared  in  his  sympathies  and  prayers.  He 
looked  upon  these  as  the  means  under  God 
of  the  world's  conversion.  The  Bible, 
Tract,  and  Missionary  cause  found  a  pow- 
erful advocate  in  him. 

He  took  broad  views  of  their  operations. 
The  thought  of  the  world's  conversion  to 
Christ,  to  which  these  objects  looked,  filled 
him  with  holiest  joy  and  transport.  None 


196  MEMOIR    OF 

who  ever  attended,  can  forget  the  interest 
with  which  he  sustained  the  Monthly  Con- 
cert of  Prayer  for  Foreign  Missions.  He 
prayed  that  the  time  might  soon  come  when 
the  islands  of  the  sea  should  wait  for  God's 
law  and  dark  and  benighted  Africa  stretch 
her  hands  to  heaven.  His  was  an  expansive 
benevolence.  He  embraced  the  entire  world 
in  his  affections. 

"As  one 

Sole  family  of  brothers,  sisters,  friends, 
One  in  their  origin,  one  in  their  rights 
To  all  the  common  gifts  of  providence, 
And  in  hopes,  their  joys,  their  sorrows  one       , 
He  viewed  the  universal  human  race." 

It  mattered  not  to  him  whether  they  wor- 
shipped at  the  shrine  of  the  great  Prophet, 
shouted  before  the  Carr  of  Juggernaut  or 
offered  incense  to  some  "  unknown  God." 
They  were  all  his  brethren. 

His  benevolence  was  particularly  manifes- 
ted towards  the  sick.  He  viewed  this  world 
a  great  hospital  in  which  prevailed  every 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  197 

species  of  malady  and  woe  ;  where  were  the 
sick  and  the  dying.  He  conceived  it  the 
duty  of  those  in  health  to  minister  cordials 
to  the  sick  :  to  pour  wine  and  oil  into  their 
wounds  and  assuage  their  anguish.  What 
he  was  in  sentiment,  he  was  in  action. 

"  Beside  the  bed  where  parting  life  was  laid, 
And  sorrow,  guilt,  and  pain,  by  turns  dismayed, 
The  reverend  champion  stood.     At  his  control 
Despair  and  anguish  fled  the  struggling  soul  ; 
Comfort  came  down,  the  trembling  wretch  to  raise. 
And  his  last  faltering  accents  whispered  praise." 

He  made  his  visits  to  the  cot  of  poverty 
as  readily  as  to  the  mansion  of  wealth.  The 
cry  of  distress  had  a  power  to  enlist  his  sym- 
pathies from  whatever  source  it  came.  The 
early  morn,  dewy  eve  and  midnight's  silent 
hour,  found  him  by  the  bed  of  the  sick  and 
dying.  No  cold  of  winter  or  heat  of  sum- 
mer prevented.  There  he  was  in  tears.  He 
cheered  them  amidst  their  gloom  and  sad- 
ness, speaking  of  the  Balm  of  Gilead  and 
of  the  Physician  there.  He  directed  their 


198  MEMOIR    OF 

thoughts  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  He  always 
led  them  upward  and  spoke  of  the  joys  which 
are  laid  up  for  the  redeemed.  To  the  un- 
converted he  spoke  words  of  mildness,  but 
assured  them  of  the  awful  doom  that  awaited 
the  ungodly.  He  insisted  upon  an  immedi- 
ate surrender  to  God.  He  pointed  out  the 
danger  of  procrastination.  They  became 
alarmed  and  prostrate  for  mercy  called. 

Never  perhaps  did  any  man  effect  more  at 
the  bed  of  sickness  and  death.  There  his 
great  soul  had  room  for  action.  No  pen- 
cil can  paint,  or  language  describe  the  varied 
aspects  his  countenance  assumed  during  the 
same  visit.  He  knew  how  to  adapt  himself 
to  their  various  necessities.  He  smiled  when 
peace  of  spirit  prevailed,  but  when  the  spir- 
it was  about  to  rush  into  the  presence  of 
God  unforgiven,  the  anguish  within  was  de- 
picted in  his  countenance. 

This  was  the  secret  of  his  great  success  in 
twining  about  him  the  affections  of  all 
classes,  and  in  winning  souls  to  Christ. 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  199 

"  Needy,  poor 

And  dying  men,  like  music  heard  his  feet 
Approach  their  beds ;  and  guilty  wretches  took 
New  hope,  and  in  his  prayers  wept  and  smiled 
And  blessed  him,  as  they  died  forgiven  and  all 
Saw  in  his  face  contentment,  in  his  life, 
The  path  to  glory  and  perpetual  joy." 

Without  his  presence  the  dying  thought  it 
hard  to  die.  Those  who  cursed  him  while 
in  health,  when  the  "  grim  messenger"  came, 
when  they  were  to  launch  into  eternity,  ask- 
ed for  his  prayers.  He  often  remarked  that 
'•there  was  one  time  when  the  ungodly 
would  listen  to  his  preaching,  on  a  sick  and 
dying  bed.  "  In  his  duty  prompt  at  every 
call,"  he  was  there  to  light  the  spirit  on  its 
way  through  the  valley  and  shadow  of 
death,  to  pray  its  passage  safe  to  the  haven 
of  eternal  rest.  The  blasphemer  and  the 
thoughtless  in  deep  repentance  prayed  before 
him  and  found  forgiveness. 


200  MEMOIR    OP 

His  Familiarity. 

Familiarity  with  all  persons  was  a  remar- 
kable trait  in  his  character.  Perhaps  no 
charge  is  oftener  preferred  against  clergy- 
men of  the  present  day,  than  the  want  of 
this  valuable  trait  of  character.  To  be  use- 
ful the  preacher  must  in  some  way  manifest 
a  fellow-feeling  with  all  men — a  sympathy 
convincing  all  that  his  only  motive  is  love  ; 
and  his  object  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 
To  all  men,  however  are  not  allowed  the 
same  gift.  When  one  qualification  is  deni- 
ed, another  is  given  as  a  compensation.  Yet 
it  is  the  duty  of  all  ministers  to  aim  at  per- 
fection in  manner  and  life ;  to  be  qualified 
for  every  good  word  and  work,  that  by  any 
means  they  may  save  some. 

This  was  Mr.  Hidden's  aim  through  life. 
Gifted  by  nature  beyond  the  common  lot  of 
men,  he  strove  to  adapt  himself  to  the  ca- 
pacities and  circumstances  of  all.  He  had 
all  the  sensibilities  of  a  man.  No  Monkish 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  201 

austerity  was  his.  The  cowl  and  the  clois- 
ter little  suited  his  nature.  Moroseness,  af- 
fected sanctity,  a  sad,  gloomy  countenance, 
when  there  was  no  occasion  for  it,  were  to 
him  sure  indications  of  a  heart  ill  at  ease. 
Cheerfulness,  a  countenance  beaming  with 
Christian  joy,  frankness  of  manner,  "  a  soul 
all  love,"  in  his  estimation  were  the  badges 
of  a  pious  heart.  He  conversed  with  all 
with  the  same  ease.  His  acquaintance  with 
men  arid  things  enabled  him  to  converse  on 
all  topics  with  the  same  interest,  making  all 
subjects  and  all  occasions  subservient  to  his 
great  aim,  the  impressing  the  mind  with  re- 
ligious sentiments. 

This  familiarity,  instead  of  diminishing  the 
dignity  and  respect  due  the  ambassador  of 
heaven,  increased  it.  No  man  maintained 
dignity  or  gained  respect  more  successfully 
than  he,  though  he  seemed  never  to  think  of 
either.  He  knew  his  duty  and  resolved 
to  do  it.  He  thought  not  of  that  ty- 
rant, public  opinion.  He  courted  the  favor 


202  MEMOIR    OF 

of  none  but  heaven,  knowing  that  by  so  do- 
ing he  should  win  the  esteem  of  all  good  men 
and  silence  the  mouth  of  the  ungodly.  He 
avoided  every  thing  of  a  mechanical  nature 
in  his  intercourse  with  his  people.  He  act- 
ed spontaneously.  He  would  not  suffer  the 
restraints  which  are  now  thrown  around  the 
preacher.  He  was  never  hedged  in,  crippled 
trammeled  and  bandaged  up  like  modern 
men.  He  moved  in  his  own  orbit  and  suf- 
fered none  to  divert  him  therefrom. 

In  our  day  there  are  ten  thousand  re- 
straints imposed  upon  the  preacher,  not  so 
much  to  keep  him  from  doing  ill  as  from 
acting  at  all.  He  is  not  allowed  to  act  him- 
self freely.  Public  opinion  with  its  Argus 
eyes  watches  over  him  more  keenly  than 
ever.  It  describes  the  path  to  be  trod  and 
the  duties  to  be  performed,  and  wo  to  him 
who  chances  to  pass  the  line  of  demarca- 
tion. Forthwith  "  his  usefulness  is  at  an 
end"  and  he  must  take  up  his  line  of  march. 
The  ties  which  he  has  formed  must  be  sev- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  203 

ered.  Not  a  charge,  perhaps,  that  would 
weigh  in  the  balance  of  heaven,  is  preferred 
against  him,  yet  he  must  go.  And  why  ? 
Because  "  his  usefulness  is  at  an  end"  Be- 
cause he  does  not  suit  the  fastidious  taste  of 
those  who  find  it  hard  to  maintain  the  ap- 
pearance of  religion  without  constant  novel- 
ty. Excitement  alone  keeps  them  from  ap- 
pearing in  all  their  native  deformity.  Such 
men  can  exhibit  signs  of  life  only  when  "  the 
pressure"  is  high.  A  new  minister  can 
alone  raise  the  temperature. 

Thus  the  preacher's  influence  is  crippled. 
Instead  of  prescribing  what  others  should 
do  they  dictate  what  he  must  perform.  The 
tables  are  turned.  The  ministry  is  insecure. 
The  cause  of  Christ  bleeds  in  consequence. 
Mechanism,  coldness  every  where  prevails. 

This  state  of  things,  Mr.  Hidden  began  to 
witness  before  his  death  and  depricated  it. 
He  felt  keenly  on  this  point.  He  resisted 
such  a  state  of  things  with  all  the  energy  of 
his  pious  soul.  He  trembled  lest  his  own 


204  MEMOIR    OF 

Church  should  become  infected,  with  the 
spirit  which  elsewhere  prevailed,  after  his 
"  departure."  He  wished  to  see  a  whole- 
hearted ministry,  fearless  of  all  but  God — 
faithful  ambassadors  who, 

"  High  in  the  temple  of  the  living  God, 
Should  stand,  amidst  the  people  and  declare 
Aloud  the  truth,  the  whole  revealed  truth, 
Ready  to  seal  it  with  their  blood." 

On  this  principle  he  acted.  When  the 
path  of  duty  was  plainly  made  known,  he 
did  not  ask  what  this  man,  or  that  woman 
would  say  of  this,  or  that  course ;  but  he 
sought  direction  only  from  an  unerring  God. 
He  performed  the  duties  which  were  obvi- 
ous, knowing  that  the  best  teacher  of  duties 
which  lie  dim  to  us  is  the  performance  of 
those  which  are  at  hand  and  are  seen.  He 
mingled  freely  among  his  people.  He  knew 
what  they  did  and  what  they  needed.  He 
lived  among  his  people  and  at  the  same  time 
above  them.  He  was  not  a  man  to  closet 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  205 

himself  up  in  his  study,  a  mere  book-worm, 
and  come  forth  to  his  people  at  stated  times 
with  "  doctrines  fashioned  to  the  varying 
hour,"  to 

"  Mount  the  pulpit  with  a  haughty  mien, 

Where  more  of  pride  than  godliness  is  seen," 

and  "blunder  through  his  prayers,"  not 
knowing  what  kind  of  food  his  congrega- 
tion needed.  The  Sabbath  was  to  him  a 
day  of  love,  of  "  scalding"  tears  and  melting 
invitations  to  the  gospel  banquet. 

This  familiarity  gave  him  great  influence. 
Others  sought  his  advice  in  all  difficulties. 
He  was  ever  ready  to  counsel.  He  was  no 
"  non-commitalist."  He  was  warm  heart- 
ed, frank,  honest.  His  people  confided  in  him 
because  they  were  persuaded  that  he  knew 
what  was  for  their  interest  and  would  ad- 
vise accordingly.  They  were  never  left  in 
doubt  in  regard  to  his  opinions. 


'206  MEMOIR    OF 

His  Cheerfulness. 

Cheerfulness  was  a  prominent  character- 
istic of  Mr.  Hidden.  His  motto  was, 
"  who  will,  may  groan  ;  who  will  may  sing 
for  joy."  It  was  never  a  question  with  him 
whether  the  cup  of  mortal  life  had  more  of 
sour  or  sweet.  If  most  was  sour  it  was  ow- 
ing to  the  drinker  not  the  cup."  He  held 
that  every  man  possessed  in  himself  the 
means  of  turning  the  bitter  to  sweet  or  the 
sweet  to  bitter  ;  that, 

"  The  sweet  was  in  the  taste, 
The  beauty  in  the  eye,  and  in  the  ear 
The  melody  ;  and  in  the  man, — power 
To  form  the  taste,  to  purify  the  eye, 
And  tune  the  ear,  that  all  he  tasted,  saw, 
Or  heard,  might  he  harmonious,  sweet,  and  fair." 

He  was  by  nature  cheerful.  He  had  a  soul 
in  harmony  with  nature  ;  alive  to  all  her 
varied  charmes.  The  tints  of  the  rainbow, 
the  sparkling  dew-drop,  the  fervid  sun,  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  '207 

starry  firmament,  and  not  less  the  lily,  the 
rose  and  the  violet,  all  were  lovely  in  his 
sight ;  all  were  cheerful.  They  waked  the 
native  fountains  of  his  soul  and  stirred  the 
holy  tides  of  feeling.  They  caused  his 
heart  to  drink  from  its  own  treasures, 
draughts  of  perfect  sweet.  "  A  merry  heart 
maketh  a  cheerful  countenance."  His  heart 
was  merry ;  it  was  so  from  his  very  make. 
Why  then  should  he  not  be  cheerful  ?  Sad- 
ness was  a  libel  on  nature.  Cheerfulness  is 
her  face.  Her  "  shady  groves,"  her  "brooks 
and  crystal  founts,"  "  her  weeping  dews, 
her  myrtle  bowers"  and  solitary  vales  re- 
sound with  joy  and  gladness.  Why  should 
not  his  heart  speak  out  of  its  abundance  ? 
It  should.  He  held  it  to  be  a  duty  to  wear 
the  aspect  of  joy.  Accordingly  his  smiles 
shown  through  his  tears  like  the  sun  through 
rain-drops.  This  trait  of  character  did  not 
arise  from  a  necessity  of  always  smiling  : 
for  he  at  times  was  solemn  as  eternity.  His 
frown,  when  called  for,  was  insufferable. 


"208  MEMOIR    OF 

It  made  the  offender  quail  before  him  and 
sink  back  into  his  own  nothingness.  The 
contraction  of  his  brow  and  the  glance  of 
his  dark  eye  indicated  a  power  behind  them 
that  was  all-prevalent ;  but  no  sooner  was 
repentance  seen  than, 

"  With  mercy  now 
And  love,  his  face  illumed,  shone  gloriously." 

Cheerful  and  happy  by  nature,  religion 
made  him  more  so.  Religion  as  seen  in 
him  was  lovely.  It  wore  no  frown.  It  fill- 
ed the  soul  with  transport.  It  caused  his 
soul  to  exhibit  itself  in  his  eye,  countenance 
and  merry  laugh.  He  endeavored  to  make 
others  as  happy  as  himself.  In  his  visits 
through  his  parish  he  strove  to  be  cheerful. 
At  the  bed-side  of  the  dying  Christian,  he 
was  the  happiest  of  men.  He  tried  to  ban- 
ish all  fear, — that  the  spirit  might  take  its 
flight  to  the  throne  of  God  without  the 
slightest  trepidation.  He  felt  to  rejoice, 
rather  than  mourn  :  because  soon  a  spirit 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  209 

would  be  freed  from  life  with  all  its  cares, 
and  plume  itself  for  the  abodes  of  angels. 
He  therefore  often  sung  the  most  lively  and 
ravishing  anthems,  to  give  the  soul  a  foretaste 
of  the  music  which  would  soon  burst  upon 
its  ear.  He  always  endeavored  to  withdraw 
the  thoughts  as  much  as  possible  from  the 
perplexities  and  anguish  of  earth,  and  raise 
them  to  things  unseen  and  eternal.  Thus 
he  made  the  dying  bed  a  cheerful  scene, 

"  privileged  ; 
Quite  on  tlic  verge  of  heaven  !" 

This  cheerfulness  made  the  dying  eye 
bright  and  grow  brighter  as  it  approached 
nearer  death,  just  as  the  gentle  flower  looks 
fairest  in  the  '  silver  beam  which  is  reflected, 
from  the  thunder  cloud  that  soon  comes 
down  to  scatter,  far  and  wide,  its  loveliness.' 

Not   only  at   the  dying  bed  was  he  thus 

.  happy,  but  he  every  where  taught  the  duty 

of  cheerfulness  ;   that  it  was  doing  injustice 

to  religion   to  wear  a  gloomy   countenance. 

14 


210  MEMOIR    OF 

He  taught  that  the  Christian,  of  all  men, 
should  rejoice  ;  for  peace  of  mind  was  his, 
the  hopes  of  eternal  felicity  animated  his 
bosom ;  knowing  too  that  all  things  shall 
work  together  for  good  to  those  who  love 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  What  he  taught 
others,  he  was  himself,  and  what  he  was  in 
life  he  was,  as  will  hereafter  be  seen,  in 
death. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

His    labors — Devotions — Writings — As  a 
Speaker. 

Perhaps  no  inquiry  is  more  frequently 
made  than  that  which  relates  to  a  Minister's 
labors.  In  fact  we  often  judge  of  the  whole 
character  of  a  man  from  the  nature  and  ex- 
tent of  his  labors.  The  labors  of  all  min- 
isters may  be  arduous  ;  while  those  of  some 
must  be.  It  is  true  the  same  amount  is  not 
called  for  in  all.  Mr.  Hidden  was  by  na- 
ture possessed  of  great  energy  of  character. 
Thrown  upon  his  own  resources  from  his 
childhood,  all  the  powers  of  his  nature  had 
been  brought  into  action.  He  had  never 
known  the  ease  consequent  upon  wealth. 
Poverty's  iron  hand  had  been  rudely  laid 
upon  him,  and  he  must  labor,  or  die.  To 


this  he  had  no  reluctance,  but  cheerfully- 
submitted  to  all  hardships.  Early  mom 
and  the  midnights'  silent  hour  bore  witness 
to  his  diligence  in  business.  Though  not 
possessed  of  the  firmest  constitution  in  his 
early  years,  he  at  length  acquired  Herculian 
strength.  He  indurated  his  constitution  and 
made  it  like  iron. 

His  labor  in  preaching  was  immense, 
preaching  three  sermons  during  the  Sabbath; 
two  at  the  usual  place  of  worship  and  a 
third  in  some  remote  part  of  the  town.  This 
was  his  practice  through  life.  Besides  these 
three  sermons  on  the  Sabbath  he  preached, 
almost  invariably,  in  three  different  sections 
of  the  town  during  the  week  and  not  unfre- 
quently  five,  or  even  six. 

He  saw  that  these  meetings  called  out 
many  who  would  not  attend  church  during 
Sabbath  ;  but  when  the  gospel  was  brought 
directly  to  their  doors  they  could  do  no  less 
than  hear  it.  And  often  as  he  passed  their 
dwellings,  he  would  call,  and  say,  "  Well 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  213 

you  are  going  to  the  meeting,  are  you  ? 
Come,  it  is  almost  time  to  begin  it.  Let  us 
be  there  in  season."  If  they  could  have 
been  secreted  from  his  eye,  they  would  have 
staid  at  home,  but  now  there  is  no  excuse. 
On  the  day  of  one  of  these  meetings  a  certain 
woman  said  to  her  husband,  you  are  going 
to  attend  the  meeting  at  the  school  house 
this  afternoon  I  suppose  ?  "No  :  I  am  not," 
replied  the  man.  I  am  going  to  work 
behind  the  great  hill,  and  he  wont  get  sight 
of  me  to-day,  I  know."  He  immediately 
left  the  house  and  was  just  losing  sight  of 
the  road  when  to  his  vexation,  Mr.  Hidden's 
voice  was  heard,  "  What  o'clock  is  it  ?  Is 
it  not  about  time  for  the  meeting  to  com- 
mence ?  I  am  going  to  call  at  your  house 
a  few  moments.  You  will  be  at  the  meet- 
ing ?  "  Yes,"  replied  the  man,  half  pleas- 
ed, and  half  angry,  "  /  am  just  going  to  see 
about  my  cattle  /"  At  an  early  hour  he 
was  at  the  meeting,  and  there,  said  Mr. 
Hidden,  "  the  truth  took  hold  on  him.  He 


214  MEMOIR    OF 

went  home  in  great  distress  and  besought 
me  to  pray  for  him.  I  did  so,  and  the  next 
time  he  met  me,  "  Oh,"  said  he,  in  tears, 
"  I  will  never  attempt  to  run  away  from  you 
again.  God  has,  I  trust,  forgiven  me  ;"  and 
then  his  wife  told  the  whole  circumstance. 

Atone  time  meeting  a  man  with  his  team, 
"  Come,"  said  he,  "  are  you  going  to  the 
meeting  this  afternoon  ?"  "  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  attend  to-day.  I  am  rather  back- 
ward in  work,  and  I  have  got  my  team  all 
ready  to  plough."  "  Let  your  cattle  stand 
in  the  road,"  said  Mr.  Hidden,  "  and  as  soon 
as  the  sermon  is  through,  you  can  come  out. 
Come,  the  school  house  is  right  here."  Mr. 
Hidden  then  entered  the  house  and  the  man 
drove  on,  but  his  conscience  troubled  him. 
He  could  not  keep  his  mind  on  his  work. 
Every  thing  went  wrong.  His  oxen 
seemed  unkind,  and  his  work  was  badly 
executed.  Out  of  all  patience,  the  man, 
with  an  oath,  left  his  oxen  standing  in  the 
furrow  and  hasted  back  to  the  school  house. 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  215 

Mr.  Hidden  was  at  that  moment  preaching 
from  the  words,  "  For  what  is  a  man  profit- 
ed if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his 
own  soul  ?  or  what  shall  a  man  give  in  ex- 
change for  his  soul  ?"  He  observed  the 
man  as  he  came  in,  and  saw  the  anguish  of 
heart  depicted  on  his  countenance.  He 
adapted  his  remarks  to  the  very  circum- 
stances of  the  man.  "Now,"  said  he,  in 
closing.  u  what  is  to  be  done  ?  Will  you 
seek  this  world  and  neglect  the  soul  ?  Ten 
thousand  worlds  cannot  save  your  soul  from 
hell !"  The  man's  distress  was  too  great 
for  endurance.  He  fell  on  his  knees  and 
prayed  to  God  for  mercy.  "  I  stopped 
preaching  very  readily,"  said  Mr.  Hidden, 
"  and  we  all  prayed  for  the  distressed  man. 
Soon  he  gave  his  heart  to  Christ  and  was 
happy  enough." 

Moreover  at  these  meetings  children  at- 
tended who  had  never  seen  a  Minister  any 
where  else.  He  took  great  care  to  instruct 
ihem,  .thereby  to  induce  them  to  church.  He 


216  MEMOIR    OF 

had  a  happy  faculty  of  pleasing.  His  smile 
was  worth  more  than  a  crown.  But  there 
were  children  who  would  hide  as  well  as 
men.  He  had  appointed  a  meeting  at  a 
school  house,  and  just  before  the  hour  arriv- 
ed the  pupils  were  dismissed  and  the  little 
lads  ran  to  hide  in  a  thicket  near.  He  saw 
them  running,  and  supposing  the  cause  of 
it,  rode  near  the  house,  lighted  from  his  horse 
and  said,  "  Boys,  do  you  want  to  ride  my 
horse  ?  Out  came  the  boys  eager  to  ride 
the  faithful  steed.  "  There,"  said  he  ,hav- 
ing  raised  some  two  of  them  upon  his  horse, 
"  ride  him  down  to  the  brook  and  let  him 
drink."  He  remained  until  they  returned. 
"  Come,  my  little  lads,  now  we  will  go 
into  the  house,"  said  he.  By  this  time  they 
had  forgotten  their  former  plan,  and  entered 
the  house. 

Calling  at  a  certain  house  previous  to  en- 
tering the  school-house  to  preach,  the  lady 
remarked  to  him  that  she  could  not  induce 
her  son,  then  at  school,  to  stay  during  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  217 

meeting.  Mr.  Hidden  had  often  noticed 
that  quite  a  large  lad  was  always  leaving  the 
house,  just  as  he  arrived.  As  he  entered  at 
this  time,  he  met  this  lad  and  said,  "  I  wish 
you  would  run  home  and  bring  me  my  Bi- 
ble ;  I  left  it  at  your  house."  Before  the 
lad  returned  Mr.  Hidden  had  commenced 
services,  and  the  boy  was  then  ashamed  to 
leave.  The  sermon  at  that  meeting  was 
founded  on  the  words,  "  Wherewithal  shall 
a  young  man  cleanse  his  way  ?  By  taking 
heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word."  The 
young  man  listened  with  deep  interest.  The 
truth  was  sent  home  to  his  heart  and  in  a  few 
weeks  he  was  to  all  appearances,  an  heir  of 
heaven,  and  two  years  afterwards  died  in 
the  hopes  of  a  glorious  immortality. 

Not  only  in  his  own  town  did  he  thus 
preach,  but  as  we  have  elsewhere  stated,  in 
other  towns, — Eaton,  Ossipee,  Newfield, 
Effinghara,  Parsonsfield,  and  Sandwich. 
The  distance  being  great,  much  time  was 
spent  in  traveling  to,  and  from  these  places  : 


218  MEMOIR    OF 

but  he  cheerfully  preached  to  them  Christ 
and  him  crucified.  He  was  the  spiritual 
teacher  of  all  that  region. 

In  addition  to  these  are  his  funeral  ser- 
mons. It  was  his  invariable  practice  to 
preach  a  sermon  at  every  funeral  he  attend- 
ed, and  these  were  numerous.  He  has  left 
on  record  between  six  and  seven  hundred 
at  which  he  preached  and  these  were  all  in 
his  own  town,  while  he  attended  nearly  as 
many  in  neighboring  towns.  He  went  some- 
times twenty  miles  to  preach  on  these  occa- 
sions. 

Such  were  Mr.  Hidden's  public  labors. 
Allowing  five  sermons  a  week,  he  preached 
in  each  year  260  sermons.  Thus  in  forty- 
five  years,  he  must  have  preached  11,700. 
Add  to  these,  one  thousand  funeral  sermons 
and  it  amounts  to  12,700!  This  is  a  low 
estimate,  incredible  as  it  may  seem  to  some. 

Moreover,  as  we  have  noticed  in  a  pre- 
ceding chapter,  he  devoted  much  time  to 
the  instruction  of  youth,  in  all  the  branches 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  219 

of  education.  He  examined  all  the  teach- 
ers of  the  town.  He  visited,  generally,  all 
the  schools  at  least  twice  in  a  year,  some- 
times four  times.  He  taught  many  singing 
schools,  and  devoted  much  time  to  Sabbath 
school  instruction.  He  was  present  at  all 
conferences,  associations,  and  many  ordina- 
tions and  protracted  meetings  in  which  his 
voice  was  always  heard  and  his  tears  always 
seen. 

He  was  ever  an  attendant  upon  the  sick. 
His  presence  was  generally  required  as  soon 
as  the  physician's,  and  often  sooner.  He 
was  called  at  midnight's  silent  hour  as  well 
as  at  noon  day. 

He  was  also  frequent  in  his  parochial  vis- 
its. He  visited  the  hut  of  poverty  as  well 
as  the  mansion  of  wealth. 

To  crown  the  whole  it  must  be  recorded 

that  he  labored  much  on  his  farm.     Many  a 

.  day  has  he  spent  there   in  toil,  and  this  to 

gain  a  mere  livelihood,  his  salary  amounting 

only  to  two  hundred  and  one  dollars  :  con- 


220  MEMOIR    OF 

sequently  he  depended  much  upon  the  in- 
come of  his  farm  for  subsistence.  He  culti- 
vated, exclusively  with  his  own  hands,  a 
very  large  garden.  Hours  has  he  toiled 
there.  That  lovely  face,  so  often  bedewed 
with  tears,  has  often  been  wet  with  the  sweat 
of  labor. 

To  all  these,  let  the  nearly  one  thousand 
marriages  solemnized  by  him  be  added,  and 
well  may  it  be  asked,  where  shall  an  equal 
amount  of  labor,  performed  by  any  other 
man  be  found  ? 

Such  an  amount  of  labor  seems  quite  in- 
credible. But  it  must  be  remembered  that 
he  was  always  busy.  He  devoted  but  few 
hours  to  sleep,  and  none  to  idleness.  Bur- 
dened with  the  cares  of  a  large  farm  and 
those  incident  upon  a  considerable  family, 
his  house  ever  crowded  with  visitors,  he  was 
nevertheless  enabled  to  accomplish  more 
than  almost  any  other  man.  For  this  pur- 
pose God  had  raised  him  up,  and  made  his 
strength  equal  to  his  day.  Amidst  all  his 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN. 

labors,  he  never  complained  of  fatigue.  He 
had  no  hours  of  gloomy  despondency  ;  no 
shrinking  from  duty.  When  called  to  any 
service,  he  never  complained  of  the  pressure 
of  labors. 

Devotions. 

To  know  the  entire  character  of  a  man, 
we  must  see  him  in  his  hours  of  retirement, 
as  well  as  in  the  active  scenes  of  life.  It  is 
true,  we  cannot  judge  accurately  of  the 
character  of  one  man  except  as  we  see  him 
in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellows.  But  not 
the  less  true  is  it.  that  we  must  enter  within 
and  observe  the  main  springs  of  action  ;  see 
him  as  he  exhibits  himself  to  the  eye  of 
heaven.  A  man  may  appear  to  his  fellow- 
men  what  he  is  not  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Circumstances  will  often  present  a  man  in  a 
wrong  light ;  but  enter  his  closet  and  see  him 
where  he  stands  alone,  unbiased  by  extrane- 
ous circumstances  and  his  true  character  will 


MEMOIR    OF 

be  seen.  Man  will  not  be  hampered  and 
hedged  in  by  public  opinion,  when  no  eye 
beholds  but  that  of  God.  This  is  emphati- 
cally true  of  the  Christian.  He  can  not 
wear  a  false  garb  in  his  loneliness.  He  will 
appear  as  he  is,  in  his  loveliness  or  deformi- 
ty. Hypocrisy  is  a  garment  for  the  day, 
•not  for  the  night.  It  is  of  no  service  in  the 
dark.  "  The  livery  of  heaven  need  not  be 
stolen  to  serve  the  devil  in"  when  men 
sleep.  Flaunting  robes  are  designed  to  re- 
flect the  rays  of  light ;  not  to  flutter  in  the 
darkness  of  midnight. 

Let  us  view  Mr.  Hidden  in  his  hours  of 
retirement  in  converse  with  his  own  heart 
and  communion  with  God,  and  here  his 
character  will  assume  its  loveliest  aspect. 
In  his  retirement  he 

"  Had  a  source 

Of  happiness,  that  men  could  neither  give 
Nor  take  away  ;  the  avenues  that  led 
To  immortality  before  him  lay  ; 
He  saw,  with  faith's  far  reaching  eje,  the  fount 
Of  life,  his  Father's  house,  his  Saviour  God, 
And  borrowed  thence  to  help  his  present  want." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN. 

Reading  the  Bible  and  meditation  upon  its 
truths  were  his  constant  practice.  Few  men 
were  ever  more  familiar  with  that  book  ; 
none  prized  it  more.  He  could  turn  to  any 
passage,  quote  any  verse,  with  great  readi- 
ness and  accuracy.  The  Bible  was  to  him 
the  most  precious  gift  of  God.  He  would 
often  clasp  it  to  his  bosom  and  exclaim, 
i;  had  it  not  been  for  this  blessed  Book  what 
would  have  become  of  my  soul !  The 
world  would  have  been  in  the  darkness  of 
death  !"  He  not  only  acknowledged  this  to 
have  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light, 
but  felt  it.  it  wrought  in  him  the  deepest 
gratitude.  The  deep  heavings  of  his  bo- 
som, gushing  tears,  and  fervent  ejaculations 
were  the  heralds  of  his  heart.  The  Psalms 
were  a  favorite  portion  of  the  Scriptures. 
No  where  else  could  he  find  language  so 
consonant  to  his  feelings,  none  that  breath- 
ed so  much  of  heaven.  He  would  often  re- 
peat^them  with  his  soul  beaming  in  his  coun- 
tenance, his  eyes  suffused  with  tears,  and 


224  MEMOIR    OF 

his  soul  filled  with  the  liveliest  adoration. 
In  reading  some  portions  which  excited  joy- 
ful emotions,  he  would  raise  his  voice  and 
seem  enraptured  with  the  same  holy  emo- 
tions that  inspire  the  angelic  throng.  "Oh," 
he  once  exclaimed  to  the  memorialist,  after 
quoting  one  of  these  passages,  "  that  is  the 
very  language  we  shall  use  when  we  get  to 
heaven  !" 

The  lofty  strains  of  Isaiah,  the  plaintive 
language  of  Jeremiah,  the  bold  metaphors  of 
Ezekiel  were  to  him  spirit  and  life. 

The  New  Testament  he  always  carried 
with  him,  and  read  in  his  closet,  in  the  field, 
by  the  road-side,  in  the  sick  room,  and 
wherever  he  could  find  opportunity.  The 
story  of  the  cross  roused  his  soul  and  the 
agony  of  the  garden  bowed  his  spirit.  The 
love  of  Christ  melted  his  heart. 

The  Bible  was  to  him  the  bright  candle 
of  the  Lord,  darting  its  rays  through  the 
darkness  of  the  soul.  He  viewed  it  as  the 
star  of  eternity — "  the  only  star  by  which 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  225 

the  bark  of  man  could  navigate  the  sea  of 
life"  and  finally  reach  the  haven  of  bliss — 
the  only  star  which  "  rose  on  time"  and  on 
its  dark  and  troubled  billows,  threw  a  ray  of 
heaven's  own  light  and  pointed  the  sinner's 
eye  to  the  hill  of  God. 

Mr.  Hidden  was  literally  a  man  of  prayer. 
He  was  accustomed  to  rise  early  in  the 
morning  and  hold  converse  with  heaven. 
He  prevented  the  morning's  dawn.  Even 
during  the  hours  of  the  night,  when  nature 
was  mantled  in  darkness,  when  the  thoughts 
of  heaven  filled  his  soul  with  delight,  he 
would  rise  from  his  pillow  and  pour  out  his 
heart  to  God  in  prayer.  He  loved  to  go 
before  the  throne  of  mercy  and  look  God  full 
in  the  face.  While  other  men  pray  as  if 
the  Being  they  address  was  as  far  from  them 
as  the  east  is  from  the  west,  he  prayed  as  to 
a  Being  at  hand  who  could  witness  his  deep 
prostration  of  soul.  He  felt  that  God  was 
about  him  like  the  air  he  breathed. 

Wherever  he  went  or  looked,  he  saw  his 
15 


226  MEMOIR    OP 

presence.  Thus  when  he  prayed  his  pray- 
er was  poured  directly  into  the  ear  of  his 
heavenly  Father.  He  never  felt  that  God 
had  taken  a  journey  into  a  far  country,  or 
that  sweet  sleep  had  closed  his  ear.  He 
never  prayed  as  though  his  prayers  had  a 
long  journey  to  perform  before  they  could 
reach  heaven ;  but  he  viewed  heaven  as 
brought  down  to  earth  and  the  Almighty  at 
hand.  This  accounts  for  the  fervor  of  his 
prayers.  Had  he  the  impression  that  it  was 
doubtful  if  God  ever  heard  him — had  he 
thought  it  possible  that  the  Almighty  was 
attending  to  more  important  affairs  in  some 
region  far  away  beyond  the  flight  of  any 
planet,  his  prayers  would  have  been  like  oth- 
er men's,  cold  and  formal.  His  prayers 
were  the  spontaneous  overflowings  of  a  warm 
heart.  Like  some  living  fountain  that  sends 
its  waters  gurgling  forth,  so  his  prayers  came 
gushing,  warm  from  a  fountain  supplied  from 
the  eternal  Source.  Thus  they  went  up 
before  the  throne  all  glowing,  warm. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  XX  I 

They  were  offered  in  faith.  He  believed 
that  every  prayer  he  offered  went  winged  to 
the  Eternal  ear  and  if  it  returned  without 
answer  like  Noah's  dove  without  a  green 
leaf,  he  sent  it  forth  again  until,  like  the 
dove,  it  returned  with  a  token  of  mercy. 

His  prayers  were  importunate.  He  would 
take  no  denial.  He  felt  that  he  must  wres- 
tle with  Jehovah,  or  his  prayers  would  be 
unavailing.  While  he  prayed  he  reached 
forth  his  hands  for  the  blessing  he  desired. 
He  felt  the  dignity  of  prayer ;  the  impor- 
tance which  God  himself  attaches  to  it. 
Consequently  he  felt  that  all  heaven  must  be 
moved  when  redeemed  man  supplicated. 
He  was  accustomed,  previous  to  his  attend- 
ance on  any  special  means  of  grace,  to  make 
the  anticipated  occasion  a  subject  of  devout 
prayer.  When  a  protracted  meeting  was  to 
be  held,  either  in  his  own  church,  or  in 
neighboring  towns  he  made  it  a  subject  of 
lasting  and  supplication,  and  so  hard  would 
lie  wrestle  at  the  throne  of  Mercy  that  he 


228  MEMOIR    OF 

often,  as  he  himself  testified,  gained  "  assur- 
ance" that  the  spirit  would  be  manifested  in 
the  conversion  of  souls.  Having  preached 
at  a  meeting  of  this  kind  in  Sandwich  and 
being  obliged  to  leave  immediately  after  the 
sermon,  he  was  asked,  as  he  left  the  pulpit, 
if  he  thought  there  would  be  any  conver- 
sions as  the  result  of  the  meeting,  I  "know" 
said  he,  "  there  will  be  many,  I  have  the 
assurance  of  it."  The  meeting  resulted  in 
the  conversion  of  more  than  an  hundred 
souls  ;  the  greatest  revival  with  which  that 
church  has  been  visited. 

He  always  made  particular  individuals 
subjects  of  special  prayer.  This  fact  he 
once  related  to  the  memorialist,  "And,"  said 
he,  "  I  know  of  more  than  one  hundred  such 
individuals  who  have  been  converted  to 
Christ,  and  some  of  them  are  now  rejoicing  in 
glory." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  229 

Writings. 

Endowed  with  gifts  of  soul  which  have 
been  imparted  to  few  of  our  own  race,  and, 
conscious  of  having  consecrated  them 
through  life  to  God  and  mankind,  Mr.  Hid- 
den was  regardless  of  his  future  fame,  and 
has  consequently  left  but  few  monuments  of 
his  intellectual  greatness.  All  that  remains 
of  his  writings  seems  no  more  than  a  poor 
mutilated  fraction  of  what  was  in  him  ;  brief, 
broken  glimpses  of  a  genius  that  never  show- 
ed itself  on  paper.  Of  the  elements  of  his 
mind  we  have  already  spoken.  Born  at  an 
age  when  there  was  but  little  refinement  in 
literature  in  this  country,  and  thrown  amidst 
such  stirring  scenes  in  a  new  settlement, 
among  an  illiterate  people,  where  every 
thing  was  to  be  done  and  the  materials  for 
doing  it  were  few  and  imperfect,  it  would  be 
ungenerous  to  expect  in  him  the  style  of  a 
finished  writer.  So  numerous  were  the  de- 
mands upon  his  time,  so  multiplied  were  his 


labors,  and  so  far  removed  was  he  from  lite- 
rary scenes,  that  we  are  astonished  to  find 
him  what  he  really  is.  No  man  can  perform 
his  labors  aside  from  the  pulpit,  and  preach 
nearly  13,000  sermons,  written  in  correct 
taste  and  finished  style.  Mr.  Hidden,  as 
would  naturally  be  suggested  to  the  reader, 
did  not  write  out  all  his  sermons.  Some  are 
complete,  others  are  imperfectly  written  ; 
while  others  still  are  mere  skeletons,  contain- 
ing the  leading  thoughts,  with  references  to 
Scripture  texts.  Let  it  not  be  thought  from 
this  circumstance  that  he  was  not  a  labori- 
ous student ;  that  he  devoted  no  study  to 
his  sermons.  This  would  be  far  irom  the 
truth.  He  devoted  every  moment  at  his 
command  to  study.  Rarely  did  he  preach 
without  having  the  thoughts  well  arranged 
in  his  memory,  and  on  paper  too.  He  was 
not  a  man  to  talk  when  he  had  nothing  to 
say.  With  a  memory  which  was  a  store- 
house of  whatever  was  valuable  in  Scrip- 
ture, in  history  and  nature  for  illustration. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  231 

he  always  had  something  new  and  interest- 
ing. 

We  readily  admit,  owing  to  circumstances 
abovementioned,  that  he  was  not  a  finished 
writer.  Yet  there  are  great  excellences  in 
his  compositions.  In  his  early  writings  it 
might  be  objected  that  his  sentences  are  too 
protracted,  thus  rendering  his  style  difficult, 
obscure.  "  We  are  aware  that  simplicity 
and  perspicuity  are  important  qualities  of 
style ;  but  there  are  vastly  noble  and  more 
important  ones  ;  such  as  energy  and  rich- 
ness, and  in  these  Mr.  Hidden  is  not  sur- 
passed. A  mind  like  his  will  indulge  in  pro- 
tracted sentences.  A  full  mind  will  natu- 
rally overflow  in  long  periods,  and  in  the 
moment  of  inspiration,  when  thick-coming 
thoughts  and  images  crowd  upon  it,  will  of- 
ten pour  them  fourth  in  a  splendid  confus- 
ion, dazzling  to  common  readers,  but  kind- 
ling to  congenial  spirits.  There  are  writ- 
ings which  are  clear,  through  their  shallow- 
ness.  We  must  not  expect  in  the  ocean  the 


232  MEMOIR    OF 

transparency  of  the  calm  inland  stream.  We 
delight  in  long  sentences,  in  which  a  great 
truth,  instead  of  being  broken  up  into  num- 
erous periods,  is  spread  out  in  its  full  pro- 
portions, is  irradiated  with  variety  of  illus- 
tration and  imagery,  is  set  forth  in  a  splen- 
did affluence  of  language,  and  flows,  like  a 
full  stream,  with  a  majestic  harmony  which 
fills  at  once  the  ear,  and  the  soul."  The 
prominent  characteristic  of  his  style  is  ener- 
gy. He  writes  with  gigantic  strength.  He 
goes  straight  forward,  like  the  resistless 
stream.  He  expresses  himself  in  strong 
language.  He  uses  bold  figures,  striking 
metaphors.  His  periods  glow  with  life.  He 
rouses  every  energy  of  the  soul.  He  hur- 
ries us  on  with  the  impetuosity  of  the  tor- 
rent. The  mind  is  wholly  absorbed  in  what 
is  said.  It  catches  fire  at  his  glowing 
thoughts. 

These  are  not  always  the  most  refined,  but 
they  come  gushing  up  from  a  deep  fountain. 
They  come  from  a  daring  intellect,  not  spun 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  233 

in  the  loom  of  fancy,  but  rough  hewn. 
They  stand  out  in  bold  relief.  You  see 
them  even  if  they  be  amidst  rubbish.  Some- 
times he  rises  to  sublimity  rarely  surpassed. 
The  thunder  roars  and  the  lightnings  flash  ; 
all  nature  is  in  arms  ;  and  then  he  has  the 
simplicity  of  the  child,  and  the  sweet- 
ness of  poetry.  He  touches  the  softest 
passions  and  melts  to  contrition  and  tears. 
"  We  see  in  him  gentleness  and  pity,  togeth- 
er with  deep  earnestness  and  passionate  ar- 
dor. Tears  lie  in  him,  and  consuming  fire  ; 
as  lightning  lurks  in  the  drops  of  the  sum- 
mer cloud.  He  had  a  resonance  in  his  bos- 
om for  every  note  of  human  feeling."  Thus 
his  writings  are  a  mirror  of  himself. 

There  is  a  marked  sincerity  in  his  style. 
No  man  would  mistrust  he  had  the  slightest 
intention  of  speaking  what  he  did  not  him- 
self believe.  There  are  no  circumlocutions  : 
nothing  that  looks  doubtful.  In  his  writ- 
ings generally,  there  is  a  marked  perspicuity. 
He  seizes  a  subject,  holds  it  up  and  looks 


234  MEMOIR    OF 

directly  through  it,  and  enables  others  to  do 
so.  The  most  weighty  arguments  he  han- 
dles with  perfect  ease  in  his  own  way. 

He  is  happy  in  his  illustrations.  They 
are  often  very  striking.  They  force  convic- 
tion upon  the  mind.  They  send  arrows  of 
truth  all  quivering  to  the  heart.  He  is  felicit- 
ous in  his  descriptions.  They  are  often 
graphic.  There  is  also  a  melting  pathos. 
The  more  delicate  sensibilities  of  our  nature 
are  set  in  motion.  We  sob,  we  weep.  He 
knew  the  force  of  Horace'  rule  "  Si  vis  me 
flere"  that  he  who  would  move  and  convince 
others  must  move  and  convince  himself.  In 
him  there  was 

"  Joy  answering  joy,  and  sigh  responding  sigh, 
Through  all  the  fibres  of  the  social  heart." 

In  his  writings  there  is  sometimes  exhib- 
ited keen  sarcasm,  amounting  almost  to  in- 
vective. When  religion  was  in  peril,  when 
its  enemies  discovered  themselves,  he  felt 
that  interests  of  infinite  moment  were  at 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  235 

stake.  He  spoke  in  piercing  and  awful 
tones.  "  At  such  periods,  men  gifted  with 
great  power  of  thought  and  loftiness  of  sen- 
timent, are  especially  summoned  to  the  con- 
flict with  evil.  They  hear,  as  it  were  in 
their  own  magnanimity  and  generous  aspira- 
tions, the  voice  of  a  divinity  ;  and  thus  com- 
missioned, and  burning  with  a  passionate  de- 
votion to  truth,  they  must  and  will  speak 
with  an  indignant  energy,  and  they  ought 
not  to  be  measured  by  the  standard  of  ordi- 
nary minds  in  ordinary  times.  The  deeply 
moved  soul  will  speak  strongly,  and  ought 
to  speak  so  as  to  move  and  shake  nations." 
We  have  spoken  thus  freely  of  Mr.  Hid- 
den's  writings  because  it  is  often  said,  he  was 
no  writer  admitting  his  other  virtues"  And 
this  is  said  without  taking  into  consideration 
his  peculiar  labors  and  circumstances.  It 
should  be  remembered  that  his  means  were 
the  commonest  and  rudest ;  and  the  mere 
work  done  and  left  on  paper  is  no  measure 
of  his  strength.  "  A  dwarf  behind  his  steam 


236  MEMOIR    OF 

engine  may  remove  mountains  ;  but  no  dwarf 
will  hew  them  down  with  the  pickaxe ; 
and  he  must  be  a  Titan  that  hurls  them 
abroad  with  his  arms."  It  is  in  this  latter 
shape  that  Mr.  Hidden  presents  himself. 
His  library  was  limited.  He  was  not 
brought  in  contact  with  a  literary  atmos- 
phere ;  and  his  labors  were  almost  incredi- 
ble. Thus  his  writings  had  not  that  refine- 
ment of  style  which  is  now  thought  indis- 
pensable. It  should  be  remembered  too, 
that  he  had  no  systematic  training  in  a  Theo- 
logical Seminary ;  but  left  the  walls  of  a 
College  almost  immediately  for  the  pulpit. 
But  he  had  all  the  elements  of  a  great 
mind. 

The  sermons  which  he  has  left  are  mere 
fragments.  The  plan  of  a  mighty  edifice  is 
sketched;  some  columns,  porticos,  firm  masses 
of  building,  stand  completed,  the  rest  is 
more  or  less  clearly  indicated  ;  with  a  far- 
stretching  tendency,  which  studious  and 
friendly  eyes  can  now  trace  towards  the  pur- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  237 

posed  termination.  His  sermons  are  some- 
times broken  off  in  the  middle,  almost  in  the 
beginning.  They  stand  beautiful,  but  un- 
finished, and  as.  if  he  meant  to  seal  up  their 
contents  from  the  knowledge  of  man  he  has 
written  them  with  an  illegible  hand.  The 
words  are  so  often  run  together,  and  the  con- 
tractions so  numerous  that  they  are  as  un- 
intelligible as  so  much  Hebrew. 

As  a  Speaker. 

In  Mr.  Hidden  there  was  no  affectation 
of  manner.  He  exhibited  himself  in  the 
pulpit  just  as  he  was.  There  were  no  as- 
sumed airs.  It  may  with  great  truth  be 
said  of  him  that, 

"  At  church,  with  meek  and  unaffected  gracc; 
His  looks  adorned  the  venerable  place, 
Truth  from  his  lips  prevailed  with  double  sway. 
And  fools,  who  came  to  scoff,  remained  to  pray."' 

He  was  of  middling  stature,  possessed  a 
dark,  penetrating  eye,  elevated  brow,  and  a 


238  MEMOIR    OF 

countenance  varying  from  cheerfulness  to 
austerity.  His  appearance  in  the  pulpit  was 
commanding,  adapted  to  inspire  reverence. 
He  possessed  a  powerful,  stentorian,  but 
mellow  voice,  varying  from  the  lowest  to 
the  highest  key.  He  generally  spoke  rap- 
idly. His  thoughts  came  gushing  forth  with 
resistless  energy.  His  were  thoughts  that 
breathe  and  words  that  burn.  Sometimes 
he  gave  utterance  to  his  thoughts  with  great 
precision,  and  with  protracted,  solemn  ca- 
dence. When  his  subject  was  unusually 
grave,  his  countenance  exhibited  the  same 
aspect ;  it  inspired  awe.  But  when  he 
spoke  of  heaven,  it  lighted  up  with  a  radi- 
ant smile.  His  emotions  were  easily  excit- 
ed. His  tears  flowed  in  great  profusion  ; 
they  followed  the  utterance  of  every  affect- 
ing word.  When  he  wished  to  make  others 
weep  he  always  set  them  an  example  by 
pouring  forth  a  torrent  of  tears  that  came 
gushing  out  warm,  and  coursed  down  his 
cheek  like  some  little  crystal  stream  from 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN. 

the  hill-side,  which  a  summers  shower  has 
sent  leaping,  sparkling  down.  His  emotions 
at  times  almost  choked  his  utterance,  and 
quick-coming  words  were  indistinctly  articu- 
lated. The  fountains  within  overflowed. 
His  manner  was  such  as  to  rivet  the  atten- 
tion of  the  hearer  to  the  subject.  The 
hearer  was  often  in  tears  and  assenting  to 
the  truths  uttered,  before  he  was  aware. 
He  was  urged  onward  with  great  velocity. 
He  had  no  time  to  fortify  his  mind  against 
the  truth,  but  was  led  captive  by  the  preach- 
er, and  carried  too  far  to  retreat.  He  was 
open  to  conviction  when  he  thought  not, 
and  truth  was  set  home  to  the  conscience 
and  compelled  submission.  Such  was  the 
man, 

••  Who  in  tiic  current  of  destruction  stood 
And  warned  the  sinner  of  his  wo  ;  led  on 
iinmanuel's  members  in  the  evil  day  ; 
And  with  the  everlasting  arms  embraced 
Himself  around,  stood  in  the  dreadful  front 
Of  battle,  high,  and  warred  victoriously 
With  death  and  hell." 


240  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER   X. 

His  Family — Letters — Strong  faith — In- 
terest in  the  cause  of  temperance — His 
social  character — Letters. 

The  children  of  Mr.  Hidden  were  five  ; 
two  of  whom  only  are  now  living,  viz.  Wil- 
liam Price,  residing  in  Tamworth,  and  Eliz- 
abeth, now  the  wife  of  Dr.  Ebenezer  G. 
Moore  of  Wells,  Maine.  Sophia,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Lieut.  Jonathan  C.  Gil- 
man,  leaving  a  husband  and  seven  children, 
died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  May  15,  1832, 
aged  thirty-seven.  Sarah  was  a  rare  spirit, 
amiable  in  life,  and  lovely  even  in  death. 
She  died  Nov.  5,  1819,  aged  twenty -two. 
George,  his  second  son,  by  nature  possessed 
an  open  and  frank  disposition,  a  kind  heart 
and  delicate  sensibilities.  But  having  early 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  241 

imbibed  an  inordinate  desire  for  intoxicating 
liquors,  he  brought  anguish  to  the  heart  of 
kind  parents  and  an  affectionate  wife  ;  dis- 
grace upon  his  relations  and  ruin  upon  him- 
self. He  was  a  son  that  caused  shame.  The 
entreaties  of  a  father  and  of  a  mother,  the 
embraces  of  a  wife  and  advice  of  friends 
failed  to  effect  any  radical  change  in  his 
conduct.  His  moral  strength  was  paralized. 
His  better  nature  had  been  abused,  out- 
raged and  failed  him.  But,  notwithstanding 
the  darkness  that  hung  over  the  future,  his 
father  lived  in  faith  that  ere  long  his  son 
would  be  washed  in  that  blood  which  cleans- 
eth  from  all  sin,  though  it  wrung  his  heart 
with  the  keenest  anguish  to  see  the  object  of 
his  affpction  given  up  to  a  beastly  appetite. 

The  following  letter  will  here  be  inserted 
to  show  the  state  of  his  feelings. 

TAMWORTH,  SEPT.  24,  1835. 
My  dear  son  George, — My  heart  is  ready 
16 


242  MEMOIR    OF 

to  burst  with  sorrow  and  grief,  while  I  write 
these  lines  to  you,  my  son,  dear  son.  I  take 
this  method  of  making  known  my  concern 
for  you  because  I  am  afraid  I  should  be  un- 
able to  command  my  feelings  in  conversing 
with  you,  and  I  beg  you  would  read  this 
with  a  serious  prayerful  attention.  God  is 
witness  of  my  love  to  you,  my  son,  and  my 
feelings  for  your  temporal  and  eternal  wel- 
fare. God  has  given  you  abilities  to  be  re- 
spectable and  useful  in  this  life,  and  to  live 
in  his  presence,  where  are  pleasures  foreveir 
more ;  yes  to  be  the  comfort  of  your  aged 
parents,  the  beloved  of  your  friends,  of  your 
fellow  men  and  of  the  people  of  God,  and  to 
share  with  them  in  all  the  joys  of  eternity. 
Pray,  my  dear  son,  consider  the  deep  inter- 
est your  friends  have  in  you,  and  their  feel- 
ings for  your  welfare.  Will  you,  can  you 
break  a  father's  heart  which  never  felt  any 
thing  but  love  for  you  ?  Can  you  send  a 
mother  tottering  with  age  and  infirmity  to 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  243 

the  grave,  with  sorrow  ?  Will  you  force 
your  best  friends  to  discard  you  ?  Will  you 
sink  yourself  in  the  eyes  of  all  worthy  men  ? 
Can  you  forego  all  the  bright  hopes  of  eter- 
nal glory — for  what  ?  for  the  indulgence  of 
one  animal  appetite  ?  Were  it  not  for  this 
you  would  always  have  been  respected  by 
the  best  society,  and  you  would  have  been 
the  delight  of  your  relations,  and  friends. 
Even  now  you  might  reinstate  yourself 
in  their  esteem  by  banishing  forever  the 
intoxicating  bowl.  I  beseech  you  my  son. 
to  consider  the  loss  of  property  already  sus- 
tained in  consequence  of  this.  When  oc- 
curred any  bad  bargain,  or  mistake  in  calcu- 
lations but  under  the  influence  of  drink  ? 
Pray  consider  the  loss  of  character.  Can 
you  respect  those  who  indulge  in  this  vice  ? 
My  son,  there  is  something  within  your 
breast  which  says,  no.  Character  is  too 
valuable  to  be  bartered  away  for  intoxicat- 
ing spirit.  Be  assured  that  intemperance 
and  a  respectable  character  cannot  exist  to- 


MEMOIR    OF 

gelher  at  the  present  day  in  the  same  indi- 
vidual. When  character  is  gone  all  is  gone ; 
all  confidence  ;  all  respect  of  virtuous  man  ; 
all  hopes  of  friends.  And  moreover  such  a 
man  is  continually  exposed  to  the  scoffs  and 
reproaches  of  his  enemies.  But  above  all, 
the  hopes  of  the  favor  and  the  presence  of 
God  are  cut  off.  O,  what,  my  son,  is  this 
eternity  before  us  without  hope  in  Christ ! 
Better  had  we  never  been  born.  I  conjure 
you,  my  dear  son,  to  consider  this.  O,  you 
and  I  must  stand  together  at  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ.  Your  father  is  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel  and  believes  what  he  preaches  to 
you  and  others.  He  expects  to  meet  both 
you  and  them  when  all  books  shall  be  laid 
open  and  sentence  passed.  Now,  my  dear 
George,  wjll  you  not  abandon  your  darling 
sin  ?  You  have  said  you  would,  but  have 
failed.  Now  I  pray  you  to  ask  help  of  God. 
Do  go  to  God  in  prayer  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  has  died  for  you  and 
is  ready  to  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  those  who 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  245 

ask  in  his  name.  You  must  do  this  or  be 
lost  forever.  You  may  yet  be  saved.  O, 
you  may  repent  and  be  received  into  God's 
favor  and  have  him  for  your  friend  forever. 
Now  begin  without  delay.  You  must  leave 
sin  or  be  undone.  I  feel  myself  writing  in  the 
presence  of  God  and  to  a  son  whom  I  love, 
and  the  thought  of  a  separation  from  him  for- 
ever rends  my  heart  asunder  !  O  remember 
the  calls  you  have  had  and  the  resolutions 
you  have  made,  and  now  return.  Remem- 
ber your  dear  Almira,  her  prayer  and  part- 
ing kiss.  O,  recollect  the  dangers  you  have 
escaped  when  exposed  by  intoxication,  and 
how  a  compassionate  Saviour  has  wrought 
all  these  deliverances  because  he  waits  to  be 
gracious.  O,  what  melting  love  is  this  ! 
How  can  you  escape  if  you  neglect  so  great 
salvation  !  O,  my  son,  George  Dodge  Hid- 
den, my  son,  my  son  !  My  heart  is  melted 
within  me  for  thee,  my  son.  How  can  I 
give  thee  up  for  lost !  I  must  pray  and  hope 
and  tremble  and  weep  as  I  have  done,  but 


246  MEMOIR    OF 

it  is  you  who  must  repent  and  believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  you  and  I  must  part 
forever !  This  is  the  first  time  I  have  ever 
written  you,  and  it  will  probably  be  the  last. 
I  know  I  write  from  pure  affection  for  you 
and  the  glory  of  God.  I  beg  you  read  it 
carefully  and  lay  it  up  and  keep  it.  Do  not 
destroy  it.  Keep  it  till  I  am  dead.  It  will 
be  read  over  in  the  light  of  eternity  and  you 
and  I  shall  hear  it  together,  with  dear  Al- 
mira.  O,  may  God  Almighty  have  mercy 
on  your  soul  and  mine,  my  dear  son. 

Your  afflicted,  affectionate  father, 
SAMUEL  HIDDEN." 

This  letter  betrays  a  heart  full  of  anguish. 
His  allusion  to  Almira,  his  son's  wife,  who 
but  a  few  months  previous  had  given  her 
husband  "  a  parting  kiss,"  commended  him 
to  her  God  and  then  departed,  Dec.  4,  1834, 
to  the  land  of  pure  spirits,  is  heart-rending. 
Mr.  Hidden  knew  that  this  chord  would 
vibrate  in  the  bosom  of  his  son. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  247 

This  letter,  however,  produced  no  perma- 
nent change  in  his  character.  He  continu- 
ed to  make  the  heart  of  his  father  bleed  at 
every  pore,  and  from  the  abundance  of  his 
heart  he  indited  another  letter,  leaving  it  in 
the  care  of  his  son,  William,  enjoining  him  to 
keep  it  till  after  his  death  before  presenting 
it  to  George.  He  felt  that  the  hour  of  dis- 
solution was  at  hand,  and  he  could  not  die 
until  he  had  once  more  reminded  his  son  of 
the  awful  retribution  that  awaited  him.  This 
letter  is  dated, 

TAMWORTH,  MAT  6,  1836. 

My  Dear  Son  Gearge, — You  are  not  a 
father,  therefore  you  cannot  know  the  feel- 
ino-s  of  a  father  towards  a  son  whom  he  loves. 

o 

Yet  you  can  read  them  when  drawn  on  pa- 
per, by  one  who  begat  you  and  still  loves 
you  in  the  most  tender  manner.  What  I 
now  write,  I  really  expect  to  hear  read  over 
with  you  at  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  and 
I  hope  you  will  read  this  under  the  same 
knpressson.  You  must  know  the  evil  effects 


248  MEMOIR    OF 

of  strong  drink  on  your  soul  and  body,  wheth- 
er it  be  distilled  liquors  or  cider.  Find,  if 
you  can,  one  instance  of  improper  conduct 
for  many  years  past  but  took  its  rise  from 
this  source.  Had  it  not  been  for  this  no  man 
in  town  of  your  age  would  have  been  more 
respectable  than  yourself.  Shall  good  sense, 
good  disposition,  kind  and  obliging  temper, 
sound  and  healthy  body ;  all  the  hopes  of 
eternal  happiness,be  sacrificed  to  a  more  than 
beastly  appetite  ?  God  forbid.  It  must 
not  be  that  the  feelings  of  a  father,  mother, 
brother  and  sister,  be  tortured  almost  con- 
tinually to  gratify  the  taste  of  one  relative, 
and  this  gratification  prove  his  destruction  ! 
No,  no,  my  son.  Must  the  usefulness  of  a 
father,  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  now  old 
and  gray-headed,  be  lost  in  consequence  of 
the  excesses  of  his  beloved  son  ?  No,  my 
dear  son.  You  must  reform.  God  has  laid 
his  hand  upon  you,  and  he  might  have 
quickly  hurled  you  into  the  shades  of  des- 
pair ;  but  he  has  not  done  it ;  for  which  you 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  249 

are  laid  under  new  and  fresh  obligations. 
But  his  patience  will  not  last  forever.  I  be- 
seech you  lay  it  to  heart.  You  may  now 
have  a  new  character,  new  hopes,  new  joys, 
by  asking  God  for  help  and  by  immediately 
leading  a  new  life.  I  would  ask  your  con- 
science, why  it  is  that  all  your  resolutions 
you  have,  from  time  to  time,  formed,  have 
been  broken  ?  Is  it  not  because  you  have 
not  asked  assistance  of  God,  having  made 
them  in  your  own  strength  ?  Now  pray  to 
God  for  assistance  and  you  shall  be  saved 
and  God  glorified.  Can  you  forget  the  pray- 
er and  farewell  embraces  of  a  wife  now  in 
glory  and  perhaps  watching  over  you  with 
intense  interest,  though  you  wrung  her  heart 
with  anguish  while  living  by  your  unhallow- 
ed indulgence  in  a  darling  appetite  ?  My 
dear  son,  you  must  lead  a  different  life,  or 
God  will  take  you  away  and  place  you  be- 
yond the  reach  of  all  hope  !  May  I  not  ex- 
pect this  of  you  ?  Must  I  give  you  up  and 
all  my  fond  hopes  of  you  from  your  infancy 


250  MEMOIR    OF 

to  this  day  ?  give  you  up  forever  ?  O  heart- 
rending thought !  What  a  bitter  cup  is  this  '. 
It  is  quite  overwhelming,  and  will  sink  me 
unless  God  grant  me  support,  which  I  trust 
he  will  through  Jesus  Christ  his  dear  son. 
George,  you  must  remember  I  shall  by  divine 
assistance  endeavor  to  keep  my  character  as 
a  minister  of  Christ  and  not  suffer  my  prop- 
erty to  be  wasted  by  the  extravagance  of  any 
one,  if  I  have  ability  to  prevent  it.  God 
knows  I  would  not  wrong  you  of  one  hair  of 
your  head,  but  it  must  not  be  said  and  be 
believed  by  this  people  that  what  they  give 
their  minister  goes  to  maintain  the  vices  of 
his  son.  This  would  prevent  the  gospel  from 
exercising  its  designed  influence  on  them  and 
their  children.  Be  assured  my  dear  son 
that  a  minister's  influence  depends  in  a  great 
measure  upon  the  character  of  his  children. 
How  many  times  has  it  been  said,  "  that  is 
George  Hidden,  the  minister's  son  !"  and 
then  the  hellish  laugh  !  How  many  times 
has  the  cup  been  offered  you  merely  because 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  251 

you  were  the  minister's  son,  though  you 
thought  of  no  such  thing.  Then  at  church 
the  next  Sabbath  they  first  looked  at  the 
preacher  and  then  at  his  son  and  what  good 
did  the  prayers  and  sermons  GO  such  men  ? 
Perhaps  you  never  thought  of  these  things  ; 
yet  they  are  solemn  facts  and  ought  to  be 
felt  by  the  minister  and  his  children.  Will 
you  think  of  them,  my  dear  George!  O, 
you  certainly  will  and  pray  over  them  too, 
1  hope.  ******  *  *  I 
hope  you  will  remember  what  a  blessing  you 
had  in  your  dear  Almira  who  loved  you  as 
her  own  life.  I  hope  you  will  not  plant 
thorns  on  your  pillow  every  time  you  lie 
down  where  the  dear  saint  reposed  on  your 
bosom.  My  dear  son,  conscience  may  sleep 
but  it  never  dies.  It  cannot  die,  for  it  is  the 
voice  of  the  living,  all-seeing  God.  Remem- 
ber you  have  an  aged  father  and  a  tender, 
infirm  mother,  whose  love  to  you  can  never 
die.  Pray,  my  son,  do  not  weary  out  their 
lives  and  hasten  them  into  eternity.  You 


252  MEMOIR    OF 

can  never  have  another  father  or  mother 
who  begat  and  brought  you  forth  and  reared 
you  up  with  the  tenderest  affection.  O  Lord 
God  Almighty,  bless  George  D.  Hidden, 
and  save  him  from  destruction,  and  make 
him  the  subject  of  thy  boundless  grace  for  thy 
own  name's  sake  !  I  write  this  because  I 
fear  my  own  feelings  and  yours,  in  conver- 
sation. I  beg  you  to  read  it  over  calmly 
and  deliberately  and  pray  over  it ;  and  for 
God's  sake  do  not  reject  or  despise  it.  I  feel 
that  God  sees  me  while  I  write  and  I  rejoice 
that  he  does.  He  knows  that  it  flows  from 
a  father's  heart,  as  an  effort  for  the  eternal 
good  of  a  son  for  whom  he  feels  the  most 
tender  affection.  I  know  this  will  be  read 
over  at  the  last  day.  I  shall  keep  a  copy 
of  it,  that  I  may  look  at  it  and  rejoice  in  it, 
when  you  have  become  another  man  and 
sustain  a  character  which  God,  men  and  an- 
gels will  love  and  delight  in  forever. 
Your  affectionate 

FATHER." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  253 

The  faith  expressed  in  this  letter  that  his 
son  would  "  become  another  man  and  sus- 
tain a  character  which  God,  man  and  angels 
would  love  and  delight  in  forever,"  arose  to 
assurance.  Said  he,  a  few  months  previous 
to  his  death  while  speaking  of  his  son,  "  I 
believe  that  George  will  die  a  good  man. 
Yes,"  said  he  with  great  emphasis,  "  I  have 
the  assurance  that  he  will  die  a  Christian. 
God  has  promised  to  hear  prayer,  and  why 
should  I  not  believe  him  ?"  He  lived  not 
however  to  see  the  fulfilment ;  yet  that  son 
did  die  a  humble  Christian.  That  insidi- 
ous disease,  consumption,  preyed  upon  his 
vitals,  and,  August  14,  1840,  after  a  pro- 
tracted illness,  he  left  earth  for  heaven.  He 
went  to  meet  that  father  who  had  prayed  in 
faith  for  him  and  in  answer  to  whose  prayers 
he  had  obtained  the  hopes  of  everlasting 
life.  Some  months  previous  to  his  death  he 
became  a  new  creature  in  Christ.  He  gave 
evidence  of  vital  piety,  and  united  with  the 
church  militant  just  before  his  enterance  in- 


254  MEMOIR    OF 

to  the  church  triumphant.  Who  can  de- 
pict the  interview  of  father  and  son  on  the 
confines  of  heaven  !  This  should  encour- 
age pious  parents  to  pray  in  faith  for  their 
children.  "  The  prayer  of  the  righteous 
man  availeth  much." 

Mr.  Hidden  early  espoused  the  cause  of 
temperance  and  labored  for  its  success.  His 
feelings  in  regard  to  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
drinks  may  be  learned  from  a  letter  to  a 
dealer.  This  letter  was  obviously  written 
with  his  son  before  his  mind,  and  therefore 
I  shall  insert  it  in.  this  connection. 

"  Dear  Sir, — It  is  supposable  that  you 
being  educated  among  Christian  people 
have  a  conscience,  and  believe  in  a  state  of 
future  rewards,  if  not  of  punishments.  It  is 
therefore  humbly  asked  how  it  is  that  you 
can  deal  out  the  intoxicating  draught  to  your 
fellow  creatures  when  you  well  know  that 
every  draught  will  prove  their  destruction  ? 
Can  you,  dear  sir,  humbly  kneel  before  your 
Maker  and  ask  him  to  bless  you  forever  for 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  255 

sending  poison,  death  and  destruction  into 
so  many  families  ?  How  can  you  behold 
before  you  the  young,  the  middle  aged,  and 
the  gray  headed,  the  magistrate,  who  would 
otherwise  be  deemed  respectable  in  society, 
in  a  state  of  partial,  if  not  total,  intoxication, 
and  continue  to  deal  out  the  delicious 
draught !  Dear  sir,  many  lives  have  been 
sacrificed  already  and  many  more  are  in 
danger.  Is  the  love  of  gain  so  strong  as  to 
compel  you  to  this  course  ?  Are  you  sure 
that  your  gain  will  be  lasting,  OF  that  your 
children  will  inherit  it  ?  Pray,  sir,  recollect 
the  present  situation  of  others  who  are  in 
the  same  traffic.  What  security  have  you 
that  yourself  will  be  an  exception  to  the 
general  government  of  Providence  ?  Are 
you  sure  that  your  son  who  now  laughs  at 
tiie  railings  of  those  intoxicated  in  your 
store  and  continues  to  deal  out  the  poison, 
will  not  himself  become  a  drunkard?  Then 
what  will  become  of  property,  reputation, 
life  ?  O,  mv  dear  sir,  vou  are  a  father, 


256  MEMOIR    OF 

You  have  the  bowels  of  a  father.  You 
think  you  love  your  children.  Pray  love 
them  properly.  Remember  that  you  cannot 
have  reputation  among  the  virtuous  portion 
of  the  community ;  and  this  is  all  that  is 
worth  possession  in  society.  Can  a  virtuous 
father  wish  you  prosperity  in  your  unhallow- 
ed business  when  his  son  comes  home  intox- 
icated ?  Could  he,  in  his  sober  moments, 
pray  for  your  prosperity  ?  Could  you  your- 
self do  it  if  he  were  your  own  son  ?  O, 
you  could  not.  Can  that  virtuous  wife, 
whose  husband,  after  her  long,  anxious 
watching,  comes  staggering  home,  send  up 
one  petition  for  your  prosperity  in  this  traf- 
fic ?  Pray,  sir,  look  at  her,  with  tearful 
eyes,  viewing  her  approaching  husband,  in- 
to whose  arms  she  has  thrown  herself  for 
life  ;  then  look  on  her  children,  the  pledges 
of  her  affection  to  him  ;  and  now  with  sobs 
and  tears  raising  her  eye  to  God's  mercy 
seat  above,  and  tell  me  if  there  can  be  room 
in  her  broken  heart  fora  wish,  or  a  prayer  for 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  257 

you,  unless  it  be  that  you  may  be  prevented 
from  dealing  out  the  deadly  draught  ?  How 
her  heart  throbs  when  she  sees  her  husband 
again  directing  his  feet  towards  your  store  ! 
Now,  sir,  you  are  a  man  of  feeling.  Sup- 
pose it  were  your  own  wife.  Have  you  no 
regard  for  those  who  wish  to  regard  you  and 
daily  pray  for  your  best  good,  your  eternal 
felicity  ?  In  the  name  of  the  eternal  God, 
in  whose  presence  this  letter  has  been  writ- 
ten and  before  whom  it  has  been  spread  in 
prayer,  you  are  besought  and  entreated  to 
spare  the  heart  rendings  of  fathers  and  moth- 
ers, brothers  and  sisters,  wives  and  helpless 
children  ?  O,  spare  the  throbbing,  aching 
heart  of  the  virtuous  portion  of  your  fellow- 
creatures,  if  there  is  any  such  thing  as  relig- 
ion or  virtue  on  earth. 

Yours  respectfully, 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN. 

In  the  domestic  circle  Mr.  Hidden'*,  char- 
acter appears  to  great  advantage.     1'  will 
17 


258  MEMOIR    OP 

not  suffer  by  a  close  inspection.  It  is  too 
often  the  case  that  men  wear  the  garb  of  a 
saint  abroad  and  that  of  a  fiend  at  home.  Too 
often  does  the  professional  man  appear  amia- 
ble to  others  but  ugly  to  those  in  his  own 
family.  The  minister  may  be  the  haughty 
tyrant  of  his  wife  and  children — while  to 
others  he  has  the  meekness  of  Moses.  He 
may  lord  it  over  his  domestics  and  make 
them  ministers  of  his  pleasures  while  he 
preaches  condescension  and  kindness  in  the 
pulpit.  Professional  men,  burdened  with 
public  duties,  numerous  and  urgent,  are  lia- 
ble to  fail  in  those  lesser  regards  which  so 
much  enhance  the 


"  only  bliss 


Of  paradise  which  has  survived  the  fall." 

He  who  wears  the  aspect  of  the  tiger  at 
home,  whatever  be  his  reputation  abroad,  is 
unworthy  esteem. 

Of  Mr.  Hidden  it  may  be  said  that  he  was 
ever  assiduous  in  his  attention  to  those  mi- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  259 

nute  regards  which  constitute  the  aggregate 
of  domestic  enjoyment.  He  was  an  affection- 
ate husband,  ready  to  take  upon  himself  a 
portion  of  those  cares  incident  to  a  family. 
He  retired  not  to  his  study  regardless  if 
weal  or  wo  betide  those  who  had  a  right  to 
his  sympathies.  He  felt  that  a  wife  should 
share  in  the  trials  of  a  family,  not  bear  them 
all 

He  was  a  kind  parent,  ever  ready  to  in- 
dulge his  children  in  every  thing  which 
might  be  for  their  interest.  He  sought  to 
render  life  happy  and  cheerful.  He  endeav- 
ored to  impress  their  minds  with  the  feeling 
that  life  was  a  blessing  for  which  they  should 
be  grateful  to  their  great  benefactor. 
Some  are  too  apt  to  give  their  children  the 
conviction. that  life  is  a  curse  ;  that  they  are 
forced  to  wear  a  load  quite  too  oppressive, 
to  be  laid  on  them  by  a  merciful  Creator, 
This  is  often  done  by  a  moroseness  of  man- 
ner, by  monkish  austerity,  and  an  unkind 
impatience,  which  rise  not  out  of  real  piety. 


260  MEMOIR    OF 

They  are  the  result  of  an  unsanctified  na- 
ture, and  should  be*  sedulously  avoided. 
Parents  should  impress  upon  their  children 
the  feeling  that  life  with  its  ten  thousand 
sources  of  enjoyment  was  designed  to  be  a 
cheerful  passage  to  eternity. 

These  enjoyments  are  designed  to  make 
life  a  foretaste  of  heavenly  felicity  ;  and  if 
they  are  imbittered,  they  are  so  with  our  own 
follies.  These  call  for  the  deepest  gratitude 
to  God.  Children  should  be  taught  to  ex- 
ercise this  feeling.  They  should  be  made 
to  realize  that  these  are  the  gifts  of  a  boun- 
tiful and  indulgent  Father.  They  should 
be  taught  early  to  lisp  his  praise.  This  was 
Mr.  Hidden's  great  object.  He  felt  un- 
speakable gratitude  for  the  innumerable  ex- 
pressions of  God's  goodness  and  labored  to 
inspire  the  same  emotion  in  every  bosom. 
Life,  hallowed  by  the  religion  of  Christ,  was 
to  him  a  delightful  existence,  notwithstand- 
ing its  disappointments,  its  conflicts,  its  an- 
sruish. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  261 

This  chapter  will  close  with  extracts  from 
his  letters  to  several  individuals. 

To  his  Daughter,  Mrs.  Moore. 

TAMWORTH,  DEC.  12,  1826. 

We  were  greatly  pleased  to  hear  of  your 
good  health,  and  pray  it  may  be  continued. 
Forget  not  your  dependance  on  God  who 
giveth  us  all  things  richly  to  enjoy,  when  we 
realize  our  dependance  on  him.  Acknowl- 
edge him  in  all  your  ways  and  he  will  direct 
your  steps.  May  he  pour  out  the  richest 
of  his  blessings  upon  your  family,  lengthen 
out  your  life,  enlighten  your  mind,  lead  you 
into  all  truth,  comfort  your  heart  under  all 
your  sorrows  and  employ  you  in  his  service 
when  your  parents  are  sleeping  in  the  dust, 
and  finally  admit  you  to  the  joys  of  heaven. 
We  must  now  commit  each  other  into  the 
hands  of  God.  May  this  be  our  privilege 
.  day  by  day,  and  may  it  be  rightly  improv- 
ed, so  that  after  improving  our  talents  here. 


262 


MEMOIR    OF 


we  may  be  together  in  a  world  of  glory  for- 
ever. 

TAMWORTH,  MAY  21, 1832. 
Your  sister  Sophia,  sung  with  me  and 
Major  G.  together  with  his  two  daughters,  in 
raptures  on  the  sixth  inst.  Wednesday  she 
was  very  sick  and  grew  worse  until  Tues- 
day, when  she  breathed  her  last.  Her  child 
was  baptized  that  morning  in  her  presence, 
and  died  just  one  hour  before  her.  She  had 
her  reason  and  talked  as  long  as  her  strength 
lasted.  There  was  an  angelic  smile  on 
her  own  face  and  on  her  child's  when  laid 
out,  but  they  soon  changed.  They  were 
buried  on  Thursday,  and  I  was  obliged  to 
preach  her  funeral  sermon,  being  disappoin- 
ted by  Mr.  — .  I  preached  from  Psalms 
49  ;  15,  to  a  crowded  assembly.  God  help- 
ed me.  Your  mother  and  I  have  as  much 
as  we  can  bear,  but  we  hope  God  will  not 
forsake  us,  though  he  take  our  children  from 
us.  How  vain  are  all  things  here  below. 


SAMtJEL    HIDDEN.  263 

Poor  J.  with  his  seven  children  will,  we 
hope,  be  helped  by  the  arm  of  Jehovah 
which  is  everlasting  strength.  You  will  not 
forget  them  in  your  prayers  to  God.  You 
have  now  no  sister  and  your  father  and 
mother  cannot  be  with  you,  but  God  is  nigh 
at  hand.  May  he  abundantly  bless  you  and 
carry  you  through  all  trials.  There  is  infi- 
nite safety  in  trusting  in  him.  He  will  be  a 
rock  of  salvation  to  all  who  trust  in  him. 

Let  us  be  faithful  and  delay  not  in  our 
master's  business,  performing  the  patience 
of  hope  and  the  labor  of  love  and  the  work 
of  faith,  and  soon  he  will  say,  sit  down  with 
me  on  my  Father's  throne.  At  what  time 
we  are  afraid  let  us  trust  in  God,  give  our- 
selves unto  prayer  in  the  name  of  our  pre- 
vailing Advocate  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father  above,  and  we  shall  not  be  forgot- 
ten or  forsaken. 

Our  dearest  friends  are  above.  Let  us 
not  faint  then,  but  confide  in  God  and  soon 
the  days  of  our  mourning  will  be  ended. 


264  MEMOIR   OF 

Let  us  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers  dur- 
ing your  protracted  meeting.  May  God  be 
there  and  bring  all  Wells  to  bow  to  the  scep- 
tre of  his  grace.  Kiss  little  Charles  and 
Eliza  for  us,  and  tell  them  about  their  moth- 
erless cousins. 

That  we  may  meet  daily  at  the  throne  of 
grace  and  have  a  seat  near  the  throne  of 
glory  at  last,  is  the  prayer  of  your  afflicted 
father. 

TAMWORTH,  APRIL  12,  1839. 
We  are  all  in  tolerable  health  by  the 
blessing  of  our  heavenly  Father,  and  rejoice 
to  hear  from  you  by  your  affectionate  epis- 
tle, for  which  we  thank  you.  and  continual- 
ly pray  that  God  will  have  you  and  your 
little  ones  in  his  holy  keeping.  Your  father 
is  old  to  preach  every  Sabbath  three  times, 
and  three  times  during  the  week.  Notwith- 
standing his  age,  the  people  seem  willing  to 
hear.  We  had  a  good  meeting  yesterday  ? 
our  Fast-Day,  having  preaching  in  the  morn- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  265 

ing  and  examination  of  candidates  for  ad- 
mission into  the  church  in  the  afternoon. 
The  church  also  made  arrangements  for  the 
Sabbath  School  and  Bible  Class  ;  also  for 
monthly  distribution  of  Tracts. 

TAMWORTH,  JULY  18,  1835. 
Our  days  fly  swiftly  away  and  soon  will 
be  numbered  and  finished.  What  we  do 
must  be  done  quickly  ;  may  it  then  be  well 
done  and  we  prepared  to  enter  into  that  rest 
prepared  for  the  people  of  God.  May  the 
God  of  Abraham  bless  you  and  give  much 
of  his  grace  to  train  up  your  family  for  him. 
I  greatly  rejoice  in  the  way  you  have  begun 
with  them.  Only  go  on  and  if  your  lives 
are  continued  and  God's  grace  granted,  you 
will  fit  them  to  stand  and  fight  in  the  battle 
of  the  great  day  of  God  Almighty,  which 
no  doubt  will  be  fought  in  their  age.  How 
awfully  responsible  are  the  duties  of  this  age 
to  the  next  generation.  May  they  be  suitably 
felt  by  those  going  off  the  stage  and  those  in 


266  MEMOIR    OF 

the  meridian  of  life.     Thus  prays  your  aged 
father. 

To  a  young  lady,  a  relative. 

TAMWORTH,  MAY  21,  1832. 

Our  Bible  Class  and  Sabbath  School 
flourish,  and  nothing  is  wanting  but  more 
vigorous  effort  on  the  part  of  professed 
Christians.  It  is  enough  to  make  one  shud- 
der to  contemplate  the  blood  of  souls  in  the 
garments  of  the  professed  friends  of  the 
Lamb  of  God.  I  hope  you,  my  dear,  live 
very  near  to  God  and  are  much  engaged  in 
the  cause  of  your  dear  Redeemer.  He  wants 
all  his  friends  to  labor  in  his  cause.  There 
is  much  for  them  to  do,  and  he  has  engaged 
to  help  them  perform  it.  This  age  is  preg- 
nant with  most  important  events.  The  next 
will  probably  be  in  the  midst  of  the  battle 
of  the  great  day  of  God  Almighty.  Satan 
and  his  cause  will  not  fall  without  a  struggle. 
Sin  will  not  be  banished  from  this  world 
without  a  mighty  effort.  He,  who  died  to 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  267 

give  the  victory  will  lay  hold  on  the  great 
Dragon  and  chain  him  and  cast  him  into  the 
bottomless  pit,  by  the  hands  of  his  servants 
and  handmaids  here  on  the  earth.  The 
next  generation  will  be  in  the  contest,  and 
this  generation  must  prepare  them  for  it. 
Who  can  look  upon  the  rising  age  in  this 
view  without  the  most  lively  and  glowing 
emotions.  What  awful  responsibilities  rest 
on  your  age  and  those  above  you  in  years  ! 
May  old  and  young  let  these  considerations 
have  their  full  weight  and  power  over  all 
their  contemplations  and  actions.  The 
church  and  the  world  are  now  in  commotion 
and  preparation  for  the  contest,  whether  sa- 
tan  or  Jesus,  shall  triumph  and  reign.  We 
know  whose  the  victory  will  be,  yet  we  must 
do  all  in  our  power  to  help  it  forward.  If 
not  permitted  to  be  here  to  fight  may  we  be 
in  heaven  to  sing  and  shout  the  victory, 
"  Halleluiah,  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth.  He  hath  triumphed  gloriously  !" 


268  MEMOIR   OF 

To  his  grandson   then    at  Bangor,  Me, 
dated  Sept.  26,  1835. 

My  dear  grandson: — Although  at  a 
distance,  you  are  not  forgotten  by  your  aged 
grandfather  whose  name  you  bear.  I  am 
deeply  interested  in  all  your  concerns,  and 
pray  God  to  guide  you  in  the  path  of  holi- 
ness and  grace.  You,  my  dear  child,  have 
been  devoted  to  God,  the  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost,  in  your  baptism  and  are  the 
son  of  many  vows,  prayers  and  tears  of 
your  mother  who  is  now  above  and,  perhaps, 
as  a  guardian  angel,  is  often  near  you, 
watching  your  every  act.  I  hope  you  find 
time  to  read  your  Bible  and  call  on  the  God 
of  heaven  daily.  You  may  go  to  him 
through  the  blood  of  the  Redeemer  and  un- 
bosom all  your  concerns  without  any  reserve ; 
and  be  assured  he  will  not  turn  you  away, 
but  will  hold  communion  with  you  and  man- 
ifest himself  to  you  as  he  does  not  to  the 
world.  He  will  have  you  in  his  holy  keep- 
ing and  give  you  that  peace  which  the 


SAMUEL     HIDDEN.  269 

world  cannot  give  or  take  away.  Be  not 
afraid  to  go  to  God  who  has  said,  they  who 
seek  me  early  shall  find  me,  and  who  is  in- 
finitely pleased  with  the  dews  of  our  youth. 
God  began  to  call  after  you  when  very 
young  and  made  divine  impressions  on  your 
mind  which,  I  hope,  will  never  be  forgotten, 
but  result  in  your  entire  consecration  to  God, 
in  time  and  to  all  eternity. 

I  heartily  rejoice  in  the  religious  privileges 
you  enjoy  and  pray  that  they  may  be  a  sa- 
vor of  life  to  your  immortal  soul.  I  beg  of 
you  not  to  neglect  any  of  them.  Take 
some  part  of  the  word  of  God  into  the  shop 
with  you  every  day.  It  will  cheer  your 
heart  in  the  midst  of  the  business  of  the  day. 
There  can  be  no  greater  enjoyment  than  in- 
tercourse with  God  by  prayer  and  medita- 
tion upon  his  perfections  as  revealed  in  the 
Bible.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  commend- 
able conduct  hitherto  and  hope  you  will 
continue  to  conduct  properly  and  remember 
that  a  fair  character  is  the  richest  earthly 


270  MEMOIR   OF 

inheritance,  and  to  form  and  maintain  this 
we  need  the  assistance  of  a  merciful  God. 
I  hope  you  will  be  faithful  to  your  employ- 
er. Be  benevolent,  kind  and  obliging  to 
all  with  whom  you  may  be  connected.  Re- 
member of  what  immense  advantage  the 
good  behavior  of  Joseph  was,  both  to  him- 
self and  others.  You  may  have  the  same 
help  from  God  as  he.  You  have  only  to 
ask  for  it  and  you  have  it ;  for  he  has  said 
ask  and  you  shall  receive  ;  seek  and  you 
shall  find  ;  knock  and  it  shall  be  opened. 
O,  what  love  and  condescension  in  the  great 
Jehovah !  Be  sure  then  that  you  have  the 
Redeemer  of  sinners  for  your  bosom,  your 
unchangeable  friend.  This  is  all  you  need. 

You  should  remember  that  as  our  charac- 
ter is  when  we  enter  upon  the  active  scenes 
of  life,  so  it  will  generally  be  through  life. 
This  is  an  old  proverb.  I  now  remind  you 
of  it.  Let  it  have  its  due  influence  in  form- 
ing your  character. 

That  God   would    bless  you    and  spare 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  271 

your  life,  enrich  your  soul  with  his  grace  and 
prepare  you  to  be  eminently  useful  in  life, 
and  prepare  you  for  a  happy  eternity,  is  the 
daily  prayer  of  your  aged  grandfather. 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN. 

To  his  granddaughter. 

TAMWORTH,  AUG.  31,  1835. 

As  you  are  about  to  leave  your  father's 
house  for  a  season  and  enter  a  public  Semi- 
nary, I  would  address  a  few  lines  to  you  by 
way  of  precaution  and  advice. 

You  will  remember,  my  dear,  that  you  are 
the  daughter  of  many  prayers  of  a  tender 
mother  now  in  heaven,  and  of  many  friends 
now  on  earth,  whose  eyes  are  on  you  and 
whose  expectations  are  raised  concerning 
you,  as  they  see  your  opening  faculties  ap- 
proaching maturity.  Their  happiness  is  in- 
terwoven with  the  propriety  of  your  con- 
duct and  the  character  you  are  forming  and 
which  they  hope  you  will  sustain  through 
life.  In  order  to  be  safe  you  will  remem- 


272  MEMOIR   OF 

ber  to  put  your  trust  in  Christ  to  whom  you 
were  committed  by  a  dying  mother.  He  has 
been  watching  you  every  moment  and 
waiting  to  receive  your  affections  and  pre- 
pare you  for  great  usefulness  here  and  for 
the  enjoyment  of  himself  above.  He  gives 
you  liberty  to  come  to  him  as  your  bosom, 
unchangeable  friend,  always  present,  ready 
and  able  to  help  you.  He  bids  you  wel- 
come to  himself.  He  allows  you  to  commit 
all  your  concerns  to  him.  He  will  never 
leave  nor  forsake  you. 

I  beg  you  not  to  attempt  any  thing,  not 
even  your  studies,  without  consulting  him 
and  imploring  assistance.  Your  grandfath- 
er knows  the  benefit  of  this,  by  his  own  ex- 
perience in  his  studies,  and  believes  the 
blessed  Redeemer  is  as  able  and  willing  to 
help  his  beloved  granddaughter  as  he  was 
to  help  himself;  and  he  cannot  bear  to  think 
that  his  dear  E  —  should  fail  to  receive  the 
aid  of  such  a  friend  as  the  Son  of  God.  You 
will  hold  intercourse  with  him  daily,  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  273 

carry  all  your  cares  and  sorrows  to  him,  re- 
lying on  his  goodness  and  faithfulness  to  per- 
form all  his  promises  in  his  word. 

Never  omit  reading  some  portion  of  your 
Bible  every  day.  In  that  Book  you  will 
find  directions  at  all  times  and  in  all  cir- 
cumstances. You  should  remember  that  your 
Father  in  heaven  is  speaking  to  you  every 
time  you  open  this  word  ;  and  there  is  infi- 
nite safety  in  trusting  in  all  which  it  declares. 
';  There  is  more  good  grammar  in  the  Bible 
than  in  any  other  book,"  says  Mr.  Murray. 
It  contains  the  most  correct  history,  the 
most  sublime  poetry  and  moving  eloquence 
of  any  book  ;  and  the  correctness  of  its  geog- 
raphy is  established  by  all  modern  divines. 
In  this  Book  only,  is  found  the  way  of  sal- 
vation for  sinners.  There  is  spread  a  bound- 
less prospect  of  increasing  felicity  to  every 
humble  believer.  O,  then  be  intimately  ac- 
.  quainted  with  your  Bible.  Make  it  your 
constant  companion.  It  will  speak  to  you 
18 


274  MEMOIR    OF 

and   converse  at  all  times   and  make  you 
wise  unto  salvation. 

You  will  learn  to  take  care  of  yourself 
and  be  obedient  and  respectful  to  your  in- 
structors and  follow  their  directions  in  what- 
ever they  enjoin.  This  will  endear  you  to 
them  and  benefit  yourself. 

Now  may  the  God  of  all  grace  keep  you 
as  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand  ;  furnish  your 
mind  with  all  needful  science  ;  sanctify 
your  soul  by  his  Spirit ;  keep  you  from  all 
evil ;  prepare  you  to  do  good  and  make  you 
ready  for  his  heavenly  kingdom.  This  is 
the  prayer  of  your  aged  grandfather. 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN." 

To  an  afflicted  Mother. 
My  Dear  Madam; 

I  have  just  received  the  melancholy  in- 
telligence of  the  death  of  your  beloved  child 
and  take  this  opportunity  to  express  the  deep 
interest  I  feel  in  your  affliction.  I  know  how 
to  sympathize  with  you.  Death  has  taken 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  '275 

two  of  my  own  children.  They  are  now  in 
glory.  The  cup  has  been  a  bitter  one,  but 
my  heavenly  Father  has  enabled  me  to 
drink  it,  and  I  feel  that  it  is  good  for  me  to 
be  thus  afflicted.  Before  I  was  afflicted  I 
went  astray,  but  now  I  have  learned  to  give 
up  all  into  the  hands  of  Jehovah.  Our  chil- 
dren belong  to  God,  and  has  he  not  a  right 
to  his  own  ?  If  I  had  put  ten  dollars  into 
your  hands  and  told  you  to  take  care  of  them 
until  I  called,  should  I  not  have  a  right  to 
take. them  when  I  please  ?  Thus  our  chil- 
dren are  entrusted  to  us.  We  must  take 
care  of  them  and  train  them  for  heaven.  We 
must  hold  them  in  readiness  for  the  Saviour. 
Your  little  child  was  lent  you,  and  God  has 
now  called  for  it.  You  loved  your  child,  but 
Christ  loved  it  more  ;  he  loved  it  more  than 
you  possibly  could.  He  redeemed  it  by  his 
blood  and  has  now  taken  possession  of  his 
.purchase,  and  he  will  deal  with  your  child 
kindly.  Already  has  he  put  into  its  little 
hands  the  harp  of  gold  and  a  palm  of  victo- 


276 

ry.  Then  why  should  you  lament  that  your 
daughter  has  gone  to  heaven  ?  T*Vould  you 
be  so  selfish  as  to  keep  from  Jesus  Christ 
what  was  his  own  by  purchase  !  No.  I 
know  you  would  not.  Your  child  has  now 
escaped  the  sorrows  and  pains  of  life.  She 
sweetly  sleeps  in  Jesus.  Had  she  lived  she 
would  have  been  like  yourself  a  woman  of 
sorrows.  Could  she  now  speak,  she  would 
say,  "  weep  not  for  me,  my  dear  mother  ;  I 
am  happy.  I  am  with  Jesus  the  friend  of 
sinners.  He  is  my  everlasting  friend..  Be 
patient  a  few  years  and  then  he  will  be  so 
kind  as  to  bring  you  to  this  happy  place  and 
here  we  will  praise  him  together."  Oh,  we 
ought  to  rejoice  when  our  friends  are  thus 
taken  home  to  glory.  In  your  affliction  you 
will  look  to  God  for  support,  and  remember 
that  this  was  designed  for  your  own  good. 
You  needed  this  chastisement.  God  knew 
what  was  for  the  best  and  how  to  make  you 
a  perfect  person  in  Christ  Jesus.  "  Whom 
the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourg- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  277 

eth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth  ;"  and  you 
should  remember  that  though  "  no  chasten- 
ing for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  joyous  but 
grievous  ;  nevertheless  afterward  it  yieldeth 
the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto 
them  which  are  exercised  thereby."  Yes, 
my  dear  sister,  when  we  get  into  eternity  we 
shall  see  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God 
in  thus  removing  from  us  those  on  whom  we 
had  placed  our  affections.  Another  prec- 
ious promise  is  left  on  record  for  our  conso- 
lation. "  For  our  light  affliction,  which  is 
but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  ; 
while  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are 
seen,  but  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen." 
Let  this  passage  comfort  you.  You  will  not, 
you  cannot  distrust  God.  Mysterious  as  is 
this  dispensation  of  Providence,  you  should 
bow  submissive,  feeling  that  God  will  do 
.all  things  well.  Carry  your  case  to  Jesus  : 
he  can  sympathize  with  you  ;  he  can  com- 
fort. Your  child  is  dead  but  Christ  liveth. 


278  MEMOIR    OF 

You  will  find  much  support  in  prayer.  This 
should  be  your  business.  Leave  all  in  the 
hands  of  God,  and  soon  you  will  go  where 
your  child  is.  It  can  never  come  to  you, 
but  you  will  go  to  it.  Live  then  by  faith  on 
Jesus  Christ,  and  repine  not.  I  deeply 
sympathize  with  you,  and  pray  God  that  you 
may  be  supported  in  this  hour  of  affliction. 
Yours  affectionately. 

To  a  gentleman  who  had  recently  buried 
his  wife  and  seemed  inconsolable. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  letter  informing  me 
that  your  dear  wife  is  no  more.  She  then, 
who  slept  in  your  bosom,  now  sleeps  in 
death  ;  her  body  is  in  the  embrace  of  the 
tomb  and  you  are  left  to  weep,  and  as  you 
say,  you  cannot  be  comforted.  Now,  broth- 
er, what  am  I  to  understand  by  this  ?  You 
loved  your  wife  as  no  one  can  doubt ;  but 
your  wife  has  always  been  a  sufferer  and  had 
she  lived  she  must  still  have  suffered  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  279 

Jesus  Christ  knew  this,  and  to  relieve  her 
has  taken  her  to  himself,  where  she  will  be 
perfectly  happy,  and  you  cannot  be  recon- 
ciled at  such  an  act  !  Had  she  lived,  it 
would  have  been  a  source  of  happiness  to 
you,  while  she  must  have  suffered.  Had 
you  not  rather  she  would  go  to  heaven  ? 
And  besides,  whose  was  she  ?  who  purchased 
her  with  blood  ?  who  gave  her  to  you  ? 
Most  certainly  Jesus  Christ.  Then  he  has 
taken  his  own  and  you  have  no  right  to  com- 
plain. You  have  great  reason  to  be  thank- 
ful that  she  was  prepared  to  go  into  eternity. 
She  was  a  devotedly  pious  wife,  and  she 
has  only  gone  to  glory  to  await  your  com- 
ing. Perhaps  she  now  watches  over  you 
and  sees  your  grief.  Would  it  not  be  bet- 
ter for  you  to  thank  God  for  his  mercy  in 
taking  her  to  his  right  hand  instead  of  al- 
lowing her  to  live  and  suffer?  She  now 
praises  Jesus  Christ  for  redeeming  love  and 
you  should  praise  him  also.  Now  instead 
of  murmuring  because  she  is  taken  from  you, 


280  MEMOIR    OF 

you  should  endeavor  to  be  prepared  to  meet 
her  in  heaven.  It  will  be  but  a  few  days 
before  you  will  go  into  eternity,  and  cannot 
you  be  willing  that  she  should  be  absent  a 
few  days?  You  would  not  complain  if  she 
had  gone  to  visit  some  earthly  friend ;  and 
now  she  has  gone  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  King 
of  kings  and  you  think  it  very  hard.  Now, 
my  dear  sir,  dry  up  your  tears  and  trust  in 
Christ  and  remember  that  this  affliction  is 
designed  for  your  own  good.  God  will  not 
afflict  men  willingly  ;  but  sees  that  this  is  the 
best  way  to  make  them  feel  their  depend- 
ance  on  him.  He  shows  you  by  this  afflic- 
tion that  you  should  trust  in  nothing  which 
death  can  touch  ;  and  you  profess  to  be  sen- 
sible of  this.  Then  why  not  now  act  the 
part  of  a  Christian  ?  Let  your  Christian 
principles  prevail.  If  you  are  thus  incon- 
solable will  not  the  impenitent  say  your  re- 
ligion fails  to  support  you  in  the  hour  of  tri- 
al ?  Now,  dear  brother,  seek  help  from  God. 
Pray  earnestly  for  divine  assistance  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  281 

rouse  yourself  and  be  a  consistent  man.  The 
Psalmist  says,  "Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went 
astray  ;  but  now  have  I  kept  thy  word.  It 
is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted  ; 
that  I  might  know  thy  statutes.  I  know,  O 
Lord,  that  thy  judgments  are  right,  and  that 
thou  in  faithfulness  hast  afflicted  me."  Now 
you  should  view  this  affliction  in  the  same 
light.  You  should  feel  that  God  has  afflict- 
ed you  in  mercy.  This  should  make  you 
a  better  man,  a  more  eminent  Christian.  But 
remember,  brother,  that  to  murmur  against 
God  is  an  awful  sin.  Oh  brother,  be 
strengthened,  trust  in  Jesus  Christ.  Pray 
continually,  and  God  will  grant  you  help. 
Read  the  word  of  God  and  observe  its 
promises,  and  let  them  strengthen  you.  Be 
assured  that  I  fully  sympathize  with  you  in 
this  affliction.  I  feel  it  to  be  a  personal  af- 
fliction. Your  wife  was  a  dear  friend  of 
mine.  I  deeply  lament  her  loss,  but  death 
is  her  gain.  She  is  rejoicing  in  glory,  but 
you  and  I  shall  soon  be  there  with  her,  and 


282  MEMOIR   OF 

then  we  shall  be  happy  ;  there  will  be  no 
separation.  Oh  ray  brother,  let  us  be  pre- 
pared to  follow  your  dear  wife.  This  is 
the  prayer  of  your  friend. 

Yours,  &tc. 

SAMUEL  HIDDEN. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  283 


CHAPTER   XL 

Retrospect  —  His  illness  —  Triumphant 
death. 

Mr.  Hidden  had  now  (1832,)  arrived  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two,  and  had  labored 
forty  years  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  He 
found  Tamworth  a  wilderness,  containing 
but  forty  legal  voters,  (one  having  died  ;) 
destitute  of  a  church  and  house  of  worship. 
Under  his  influence  a  church  was  formed, 
and  a  convenient  house  of  prayer  erected, 
(the  temporary  pulpit  of  which  he,  with  his 
own  hands,  constructed  in  a  few  hours,)  ed- 
ucation advanced  and  the  town  increased  in 
population.  He  became  the  beloved  of  all 
and  the  prime  mover  of  every  moral  and  re- 
ligious enterprise.  Great  success  attended 
his  labors.  The  revival  of  1800,  was  a 


284  MEMOIR    OF 

signal  display  of  divine  mercy,  which 
brought  into  the  church  those  who  were  his 
support  through  the  subsequent  years  of  his 
eventful  life.  After  this  showers  of  grace 
were  frequent  and  copious. 

He  now  looked  back  upon  the  church, 
reared  and  cherished  by  his  efforts  and 
prayers,  with  deep  interest.  Those  who 
welcomed  him  in  1792,  and  encouraged  him 
amidst  all  his  labors  and  trials  were  now  si- 
lent in  their  graves.  He  could  visit  the  spot 
which  their  ashes  hallowed  and  let  fall  a  tear, 
but  their  voices,  as  of  yore,  greeted  him 
not.  He  had  stood  by  their  bed-side  and 
prayed  their  spirits  safe  to  the  land  of  the 
just.  He  had  preached  their  funeral  ser- 
mons, exhorted  the  living  to  imitate  their 
virtues  and  avoid  their  errors.  And  now  he 
stands  almost  alone.  As  a  faithful  warrior, 
who  has  fought  bravely  while  his  compan- 
ions have  fallen,  pauses  to  observe  the  is- 
sue of  the  battle,  and  finds  himself  alone 
amidst  the  slain  ;  so  he  stood  amidst  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  285 

dead.  He  asked  for  the  fathers,  but  the  on- 
ly reply  was  an  echo,  "  Where  are  they  ?" 

We  have  already  remarked,  most  of  his 
old  friends  slept,  and  a  new  race  had  risen 
up  that  "  knew  not  Joseph."  He  saw.  that 
his  influence  was  in  some  measure  diminish- 
ed. Many  would  have  preferred  a  new 
preacher  and  a  younger  man  ;  though  noth- 
ing was  openly  said,  yet  he  divined  their 
feelings  and  was  grieved.  Still  he  labored, 
if  possible,  with  increased  zeal  for  the  sal- 
vation of  his  hearers.  His  fortieth  annual 
sermon  was  full  of  interest ;  in  which  he 
enumerated  the  various  incidents  which  had 
occurred  since  his  settlement,  and  contrast- 
ed the  present  state  of  the  church  and  town 
with  that  of  1792.  His  text  on  this  occa- 
sion was  Deut.  8:  2,  3. 

The  opening  of  the  year  1887,  showed 
conclusively  to  the  church  that  the  Lord 
was  about  to  take  from  them  their  spiritual 
guide. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  January,  of  this  year, 


286  MEMOIR    OF 

he  preached  his  forty-fifth  annual  sermon. 
Just  forty-five  years  ago  this  Sabbath  he 
preached  for  the  first  time  in  Tamworth  to 
a  few  souls  in  a  private  dwelling.  And  now 
he  stands  before  his  church  and  people  to 
deliver  to  them  the  words  of  life.  His  race 
is  almost  run.  He,  who  had  led  this  church 
in  the  wilderness  forty-five  years,  was  now 
delivering  the  last  message  of  Jehovah  on 
the  Sabbath.  He  had  stood  long  between 
the  living  and  the  dead  and  prophesied  in 
the  name  of  the  God  of  hosts.  He  preach- 
ed this  day  with  great  zeal  and  fervor.  He 
exhorted  the  Church  to  more  diligence  and 
greater  exertion  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  His 
appeals  to  them  were  melting.  He  was  al- 
most overpowered  by  his  emotions.  "  Now 
brethren,  "said  he,  "we  must  awake  to  duty 
and  newness  of  life.  We  must  be  more 
faithful  for  Christ.  We  must  love  him  more. 
We  must  serve  him  unreservedly.  How  is 
it  ?  Will  you  consecrate  yourselves  entire- 
ly to  Christ  ?  Before  another  year  rolls 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  287 

round,  I,  in  all  probability,  shall  be  laid  in 
the  grave.  What  account  of  yon  shall  I 
carry  to  heaven  ?  Shall  I  tell  them  there 
that  you  are  all  coming  safe  on  your  pil- 
grimage ?  Shall  I  tell  them  that  you  ares 
fighting  the  fight  of  faith,  led  on  by  Jesus 
Christ,  the  great  Conqueror  ?  Oh,  my 
brethren,  shall  we  continue  to  live  in  this 
cold  state  ?  Now,  arise,  come,  let  us  shake 
off  slumber  and  watch  the  coming  of  the 
Bridegroom.  He  will  be  here  soon  and  we 
must  enter  to  the  marriage  supper  of  the 
Lamb,  or  be  shut  out  forever!  God  Al- 
mighty grant  to  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of 
duty  and  preserve  you  unto  the  end. 

And  now,  my  impenitent  hearers,  I  must 
once  more  warn  you  of  your  danger  and  ex- 
hort you  to  immediate  repentance.  You 
have  been  invited  to  come  to  Christ,  Sab- 
bath after  Sabbath,  and  yet  you  are  unrecon- 
ciled to  God  !  Can  I  present  any  new  con- 
sideration or  urge  you  with  more  fervor  ?  I 
tell  you  that  except  ye  be  born  again  you 


288  MEMOIR    OF 

can  never  see  the  kingdom  of  God.  Will 
you  remain  hardened  in  sin  and  die  ungodly  ? 
Oh,  I  tremble  for  your  souls.  You  are  in 
danger  of  eternal  damnation,  and  yet  you 
seem  indifferent !  If  your  houses  were  on 
fire  you  would  not  be  indifferent.  But  now 
you  are  exposed  to  the  fire  that  shall  never 
be  quenched  and  you  fold  your  hands  and 
desire  to  sleep  on.  Oh  now  seek  help  from 
God.  Call  upon  him  while  he  is  near.  He 
will  yet  save  you  and  make  you  the  trophies 
of  his  grace." 

Thus  he  addressed  his  church  and  peo- 
ple on  the  last  Sabbath,  he  was  allowed  to 
preach  in  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  Up 
to  this  time  he  had  continued  to  preach  three 
sermons  every  Sabbath  and  lecture  in  three 
different  parts  of  the  town  during  the  week. 
After  this  he  was  called  to  preach  two  funer- 
al sermons.  He  had  sometimes  walked  a 
mile  to  visit  one  of  these  individuals.  She 
was  a  pious  woman,  and  he  delighted  to 
converse  with  her  about  heaven.  Being 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  289 

asked  why  he  visited  her  so  often  when  he 
was  so  feeble,  "Oh,"  said  he,  "I  am  paid  ev- 
ery time  I  visit  her  by  her  heavenly  conver- 
sation !"  The  day  before  her  death  he  said 
to  her,  "  I  shall  never  probably  see  you 
living  after  to-day.  When  you  get  to  heav- 
en tell  Jesus  Christ  I  am  coming.  I  shall 
soon  meet  you  there."  At  her  funeral  after 
having  addressed  others,  he  said,  "  now  I  am 
going  to  address  myself.  I  am  now  an  old 
man  and  perhaps  it  is  the  last  time  I  shall 
enter  this  sacred  desk.  My  health  is  feeble 
and  death  is  making  his  ravages  in  the  midst 
of  us.  I  feel  that  I  shall  live  but  a  short 
time.  There  is  but  a  step  between  me  and 
eternity  and  I,  who  have  so  often  exhorted 
others  to  prepare  for  death,  may  well  exhort 
myself  to  prepare  for  the  same  solemn  event. 
I  would  therefore  endeavor  to  feel  that  death 
is  nigh,  and  that  soon  I  must  stand  at  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ.  Oh,  my  hearers, 
we  shall  all  be  there  soon,  every  one  of  us 
must  give  an  account  to  God  ;  1,  how  1  have 
19 


290  MEMOIR    OF 

preached  and  you  how  you  have  heard.  The 
grave  to-day  will  close  over  one  of  your  fel- 
low creatures  and  before  another  week  shall 
roll  round,  who  of  us  shall  be  here  in  our 
coffin  ?  Death  is  cutting  down  the  old  and 
the  young  ;  we  are  all  going.  Let  us  be 
prepared  for  death  ;  be  prepared  to  meet  in 
heaven  this  sister  and  others  who  have  gone 
before  us."  Said  he  to  one  after  the  servi- 
ces were  past,  "I  never  felt  before  that  I  was 
so  near  eternity.  I  can  almost  look  beyond 
the  veil !  I  am  going  now  ;  my  work  is 
about  finished  and  I  must  commend  this 
Church  and  people  to  God." 

Though  his  outward  man  failed,  yet  his 
inward  man  was  renewed  day  by  day. 
"  The  spirit  continued  willing"  long  after  the 
"  flesh  failed."  He  labored  with  unusual 
zeal ;  he  felt  that  what  remained  to  be  ef- 
fected must  be  done  soon.  He  labored  in- 
cessantly to  advance  Christians  in  the  spirit- 
ual life,  and  to  induce  the  ungodly  to  imme- 
diate repentance.  Never  did  men  feel  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  291 

power  of  truth  more  sensibly.  He  spoke  out 
of  the  abundance  of  a  pious  heart.  He  of- 
ten gave  vent  to  the  emotions  which  strug- 
gled in  his  bosom,  by  warm  appeals  to  the 
conscience.  He  endeavored  to  render  chris- 
tians  more  sensible  of  their  accountability  to 
God  as  redeemed  sinners,  and  of  the  right 
which  Christ  had  to  expect  their  entire  con- 
secration to  his  service.  The  truth  was  ap- 
plied with  unusual  adaptedness  to  circum- 
stances. He  made  his  congregation  feel  that 
he  was  the  ambassador  of  the  Lord  Al- 
mighty. This  gave  energy  to  his  words. 
His  language  was  inspiration. 

January  20,  1837.  (Tuesday.)  Having 
been  feeble  for  some  days.  Mr.  Hidden 
was  seized  with  the  lung  fever.  "  Well," 
said  he  to  his  wife,  "  the  time  of  my  depar- 
ture is  at  hand.  I  had  hoped  to  have 
preached  once  more,  and  more  faithfully 
have  warned  the  impenitent  of  their  danger." 
She  expressing  a  hope  that  he  would  soon 
recover,  "  Do  not  have  any  hope  about  it. 


292  MEMOIR   OF 

Let  God  do  just  as  he  pleases.  He  knows 
what  to  do  with  us  best."  A  member  of  the 
church  remarking  that  sickness  was  an  afflic- 
tion, "  It  is  no  affliction  at  all,"  replied  he. 
"  What  is  a  fever  compared  with  the  suf- 
ferings of  Jesus  Christ !  I  lay  here  suffer- 
ing a  little  and  think  a  great  calamity  has 
befallen,  when  Christ  suffered  ten  thousand 
times  more  than  all  we  ever  suffered  !  We 
ought  not  to  think  so  much  about  a  little 
pain.  We  ought  to  think  more  of  the  agony 
in  the  garden  and  that  will  assuage  our  dis- 
tress. I  have  always  tried  in  all  my  visits 
to  the  sick  to  make  them  forget  themselves 
and  think  of  Jesus.  The  martyrs  in  the 
very  flames  were  happy  and  sung  praises  to 
God.  Oh  think  of  Stephen ;  while  the 
stones  were  pelting  against  his  head,  he  look- 
ed right  up  into  heaven,  and  saw  Jesus  on 
the  throne.  He  did  not  stop  and  cry  out, 
"O,  how  you  bruise  my  body  !  I  am  suffer- 
ing excruciating  pain  !"  Do  you  think  Paul 
and  Silas  talked  about  their  afflictions  in 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  293 

prison  ?  Certainly  not,  if  they  had  the  an- 
gel would  never  have  loosed  them  from  their 
stocks  and  brought  them  out  of  it."  I  once 
visited  a  man  in  great  distress  and  he  con- 
stantly complained  of  his  pain  and  said  he 
could  not  see  why  it  was  that  God  made 
him  suffer  so  much.  Why,  said  I  to  him, 
God  is  doing  with  you  just  as  you  would 
deal  with  one  of  your  children  ;  if  after  you 
had  punished  a  little  child  he  continued  to 
whine  and  complain  you  would  whip  him 
until  he  was  silent.  Just  so  God  will  make 
his  people  suffer  until  they  feel  to  say,  I  will 
be  quiet." 

Jan.  21.  Wednesday.  His  fever  being 
mild,  he  received  visitors  and  conversed 
freely  with  them.  A  member  of  the  church 
remarked  to  him  that  since  he  was  so  far 
advanced  in  life  it  was  doubtful  if  he  recov- 
ered, "  Yes,"  replied  he,  "  I  am  old,  but 
then  it  will  make  but  little  difference  in  the 
time  I  shall  have  to  spend  with  Jesus.  And 
I  have  had  fair  sailing  for  a  long  time. 


294  MEMOIR    OF 

Christ  is  a  glorious  pilot ;  with  him  I  have 
outrode  the  storms  of  life  thus  far.  Now  and 
then  a  storm  has  arisen  which  threatened  to 
overwhelm  my  frail  bark,  but  he  has  always 
whispered,  "  Peace,  be  still,  and  there  was 
a  calm."  So  it  will  be  until  I  arrive  at  the 
port  above.  I  recollect  visiting  Mr.  G. 
once  and  found  him  in  Bunyan's  Slough  of 
Despond.  He  seemed  to  be  up  to  his  chin 
in  mud  ;  but  I  was  satisfied  that  he  was  a 
pious  man.  Well  said  I,  you  are  sinking  fast ; 
take  care  that  you  don't  let  the  water  run 
into  your  mouth  and  thus  be  strangled.  I 
told  him  he  was  just  like  Peter,  for  only  a 
short  time  since  he  was  all  faith.  The  poor 
man  sighed  and  groaned  and  said  he  believ- 
ed he  should  die,  and  he  feared  he  was  not 
prepared  for  death.  I  told  him  to  pray  for 
Christ's  assistance ;  for  he  was  just  behind 
a  little  fog.  So  I  prayed  with  him  and  he 
prayed  also,  "  There,"  said  he,  "the  fog  is 
blown  away ;  I  see  Jesus  walking  on  the 
sea.  All  is  calm  now ;"  and  the  good  man 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  295 

went  out  of  the  world  rejoicing.  As  for 
myself  I  have  lived  about  long  enough,  I 
should  think  from  present  appearances,  for 
God  seerns  to  be  taking  down  this  building 
to  remove  me  to  another,  and  a  much  better 
house.  There  will  be  no  fevers  there." 

Jan.  22.  (Thursday.)  Nothing  alarm- 
ing hitherto  had  been  apprehended  by  his 
physician.  The  symptoms  were  rather  fa- 
vorable though  less  so  to-day.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  church  called  on  him  but  he  was 
not  quite  so  free  in  conversation  as  usual. 
He  seemed  solicitous  for  the  church  and  ex- 
horted those  present  to  constant  prayer  and 
more  diligence. 

Jan.  13.  (Friday.)  This  day  he  was 
delirious.  His  fever  was  more  violent.  In 
the  afternoon  he  requested  his  son  William, 
to  "  bring  him  Nehemiah,"  meaning  the  Bi- 
ble. He  caught  the  Bible  and  clasped  it 
to  his  bosom  with  much  emotion  and  offered 
to  God  a  most  fervent  prayer  for  the  resto- 
ration of  the  Jews ;  another  for  his  own 


296  MEMOIR    OF 

church  and  people.  This  latter  prayer  was 
of  great  length  and  importunate.  He  offer- 
ed a  third  prayer  for  the  pastor  who  should 
succeed  him,  a  fourth  for  his  family. 

Jan.  24.  He  continued  about  as  yester- 
day, his  mind  wandered.  The  church  were 
apprehensive  that  this  sickness  would  re- 
move "  from  their  head  their  master." 

Jan.  25.  (Sabbath.)  This  morning  his 
reason  returned  and,  though  much  exhaust- 
ed, conversed  ireely  with  the  members  of 
his  family.  His  son's  children  were  presen- 
ted to  him,  whom  he  addressed  very  feeling- 
ly. He  requested  them  to  read  the  forty- 
eighth  chapter  of  Genesis.  They  did  so, 
"  and  now"  said  he  "  my  little  children,  I 
want  you  to  love  Jesus  Christ.  You  have 
been  consecrated  to  him  in  baptism,  and 
now  give  your  hearts  to  him.  I  am  going 
to  leave  you  soon,  but  if  you  love  your  Sa- 
viour you  will  come  where  I  am  going.  You 
must  not  forget  to  pray  and  Christ  will  help 
you  ;  trust  in  him  ;  he  will  never  forsake  you. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  297 

Suppose  some  stranger  should  come  and  tell 
you  that  if  you  would  love  him  he  would 
make  you  rich  and  happy,  would  you  not 
love  him  ?  Now  Jesus  Christ  promises  ever- 
lasting joy  at  his  right  hand,  if  you  will  but 
love  him.  And  more  than  this,  he  has  shed 
his  blood  for  you  ;  he  died  on  the  cross  and 
his  hands  and  feet  were  nailed  to  the  wood 
and  his  side  was  pierced,  and  even  now  he 
says,  "  come  unto  me !"  yes,  he  will  take 
you  into  his  arms  and  sustain  you  through 
life  and  finally  bring  you  to  heaven,  if  you 
will  obey  and  love  him,  read  his  word  and 
pray  to  him  every  day." 

After  this,  other  grand  children  were  pre- 
sented whom  he  in  like  manner  addressed 
and  commended  to  Christ. 

In    the   afternoon  after  some   refreshing 

O 

sleep,  he  roused  up  and  said  to  his  son  Wil- 
liam, "  Come,  we  ought  to  have  a  meeting 
to-day  ;  we  should  not  spend  the  Sabbath 
so ;  call  them  all  in,  and  we  will  have  a 
sermon."  The  room  was  soon  filled  and 


298 


MEMOIR    OF 


having  called  for  his  Bible,  Hymn  Book  and 
glasses,  he  selected  his  hymns  and  text,  sung 
and  offered  prayer.  He  then  preached  from 
John  18;  9.  "Of them  which  thou  gavest 
me  have  I  lost  none."  His  sermon  was 
practical  and  impressive.  He  directed  most 
of  his  remarks  to  professors  of  religion.  It 
should  be  remarked  here  that  his  preaching 
and  exhortations  were  generally  to  an  un- 
common extent  directed  to  professors  of  re- 
ligion. '  Towards  them  particularly,  if  in 
a  languid  and  unbelieving  state,  he  used 
great  plainness  of  speech.  It  was  with  ex- 
ceeding difficulty  that  persons  of  that  class 
could  listen  to  his  appeals  unmoved.  They 
must  either  return  from  their  wandering  and 
become  efficient  co-workers  with  Christ,  or 
withdraw  beyond  the  reach  of  his  voice.  He 
had  formed  a  high  standard  of  personal  holi- 
ness. He  looked  on  professing  Christians 
as  those  who  ought  to  be  the  "  salt  of  the 
earth,  and  the  light  of  the  world."  He 
knew  that  upon  them,  with  the  aid  of  the 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  299 

Holy  Spirit,  the  salvation  of  the  world  was 
depending.'  This  day  he  addressed  them 
with  great  fervency.  He  warned  them  of 
the  dangers  to  which  they  were  exposed 
and  the  disgrace  which  they  would  bring 
upon  the  cause  of  Christ  by  any  sin.  "  I 
exhort  you,"  said  he,  "  to  stand  fast  in  the 
Lord.  Yield  to  no  temptation.  Give  satan 
no  advantage  over  you  ;  keep  yourselves 
unspotted  from  the  world.  This  is  the  last 
time  I  shall  ever  address  you.  I  am  going 
into  eternity  and  commend  you  to  the  great 
Shepherd  of  souls,  him  whom  I  have  served 
these  more  than  forty-five  years.  I  com- 
mend to  him  this  church  which  I  have  cher- 
ished with  prayers  and  tears  and  am  now 
to  leave  for  the  church  triumphant.  1  have 
watched  over  you  with  a  father's  care.  I 
have  fed  you  with  knowledge  and  under- 
standing. I  have  aimed  to  make  you  per- 
fect men  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  have  preached 
the  doctrine  of  the  cross  plainly  and  have 
kept  back  nothing  of  the  word  of  God.  I 


300  MEMOIR    OF 

call  you  to  witness  that  I  have  warned  and 
entreated  day  and  night  from  my  first  com- 
ing among  you.  I  call  God  to  witness  that 
I  have  coveted  no  man's  wealth  but  have 
labored  with  my  own  hands,  that  I  might 
not  be  burdensome.  I  have  watched  for 
your  souls  as  one  that  must  give  account.  I 
have  the  testimony  of  my  conscience  that 
in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with 
fleshly  wisdom  but  by  the  grace  of  God  I 
have  lived  and  labored  among  you.  Many 
souls  has  God  given  me  and  none  of  them 
have  I  lost.  When  we  all  get  to  heaven 
there  will  be  a  great  family  of  us  to  bow  be- 
fore Jesus  Christ  and  to  ascribe  the  glory  of 
our  salvation  to  him  who  has  washed  us  in 
his  blood.  My  brethren,  do  be  faithful  after 
I  am  gone." 

These  are  a  few  remarks  he  is  remember- 
ed to  have  made.  Notwithstanding  the 
feeble  state  of  his  body,  he  occupied  in  this 
service  an  hour  and  a  quarter ;  but  instead 
of  exhausting  him  it  seemed  to  revive.  His 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  301 

utterance  was  easier  and  his  articulation 
more  distinct.  The  following  day  he  had 
no  recollection  of  what  we  have  just  record- 
ed. 

Jan.  26.  (Monday.)  He  was  much  dis- 
tressed from  hard  respiration,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning was  thought  dying  from  suffocation. 

Jan.  27.  (Tuesday.)  After  the  struggle 
of  last  night  he  found  himself  this  day  more 
comfortable.  His  respiration  was  compara- 
tively easy,  and  his  usual  animation  of  spir- 
its returned.  A  member  of  his  church  be- 
ing present  and  congratulating  him  on  the 
prospect  of  recovery,  "Yes,"  said  he,  "death 
is  kept  at  bay  a  long  time.  I  may  conquer 
yet,  though  I  almost  thought  I  had  got  just 
over  the  dark  valley.  I  do  not  think  it  look- 
ed so  forbidding  to  me  as  it  did  to  Bunyan's 
Christian.  I  have  assisted  so  many  over 
this  valley  that  I  am  quite  familiar  with  the 
way.  I  recollect  the  compliment,  Dea.  M. 
paid  me  just  before  he  died.  He  had  a  few 
doubts,  but  I  endeavored  to  clear  them  ail 


302  MEMOIR    OF 

away  and  prayed  with  him.  "  Well,"  said 
he,  "I  am  fearless  now  for  you  are  John 
Banyan's  Great  Heart  and  will  conduct 
safely  to  the  Celestial  City.  I  am  now  in 
the  land  of  Beulah."  Thus  he  went  home 
to  glory." 

He  talked  much  about  the  church,  regret- 
ted that  they  had  had  no  preaching  the  last 
Sabbath  and  hoped,  if  it  was  God's  will,  he 
might  be  able  to  preach  to  them  again. 

Jan.  28.  (Wednesday.)  He  continued  to 
recover.  A  female  member  of  his  church 
called  to  see  him.  "  You  remind  me  of  Bun- 
yan's  Christiana.  Her  husband  commenced 
pilgrimage  and  arrived  at  the  Celestial  City 
before  his  wife  would  consent  to  com- 
mence ;  so  your  husband  became  pious  and 
went  home  to  glory,  and  then  you  started 
after  him,  and  here  you  are,  on  your  way. 
I  am  glad  to  see  you.  Don't  be  afraid  of 
the  lions,  or  giants  by  the  way.  Your  hus- 
band and  I  shall  be  ready  to  meet  you  in 
glory.  God  has  seen  fit  to  spare  me  thus 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  303 

long  though  I  have  been  an  unprofitable  ser- 
vant. O,  I  feel  to  ask  forgiveness  every 
moment.  My  heart  is  very  treacherous.  I 
can  look  upon  nothing  I  have  done  with  the 
slightest  satisfaction.  I  am  ashamed  of  eve- 
ry action.  Christ  is  rny  only  hope. 

February  1.  (Thursday.)  Several  pro- 
fessed Christians  called  on  him,  to  whom  he 
said,  I  rejoice  to  see  you,  brethren,  for  I  want 
to  tell  you  how  I  feel  in  regard  to  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Bible,  yet  I  cannot  find  lan- 
guage adequate  to  the  description.  They 
seem  more  lovely  than  ever.  To  say  that 
the  Bible  has  brought  life  and  immortality 
to  light  is  all  I  can  say  ;  but  it  does  not  ex- 
press half  I  feel.  The  attributes  of  Jehovah 
appear  lovely,  glorious.  It  seems  unaccoun- 
table that  Christians  do  not  love  to  meditate 
more  on  these.  My  faith  was  never  so 
strong  in  all  the  doctrines  I  have  preached 
as  at  this  time,  and  were  I  to  preach  as 
many  more  sermons  as  I  have,  I  believe 
more  souls  would  be  saved  thereby.  1  have 


304  MEMOIR    OF 

sometimes  been  afraid  that  some  thought  I 
did  not  believe  what  I  preached  ;  but  if  I 
could  preach  now  I  think  I  could  convince 
them  of  my  sincerity.  I  tell  you,  brethren, 
when  you  get  where  you  can  just  look 
through  the  veil,  the  awful  reality  of  God's 
truth  will  be  felt. 

Being  asked  if  heaven  seemed  to  his  mind 
more  glorious,  he  said,  "  Yes,  a  thousand 
times  more  glorious.  How  can  it  be  other- 
wise, so  long  as  Jesus  Christ  is  there  ?  He 
would  make  any  place  happy.  I  am  afraid 
many  live  without  any  very  distinct  idea  of 
heaven.  They  seem  to  think  it  rather  de- 
sirable, upon  the  whole,  to  get  there,  but 
they  are  not  ravished  with  the  thoughts  of 
heaven.  Some  seem  so  well  satisfied  with 
this  world,  as  to  be  willing  to  remain  here 
forever.  But  we  ought  to  feel  that  heaven 
is  worth  striving  for,  and  worth  our  burning 
all  our  life  long  at  the  stake.  We  become 
so  engrossed] with  the  cares  of  this  world  that 
we  forget  the  future  and  here  we  stay  indif- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  305 

ferent  to  an  eternity  of  unspeakable  joy.  I 
wish  we  were  more  spiritually  minded." 

Feb.  2.  (Friday.)  He  expressed  his 
anxiety  for  the  church.  To  a  brother  pres- 
ent he  said,  "  I  fear  the  church  will  become 
indifferent  to  religious  things.  When  they 
have  no  one  to  preach  they  ought  to  be 
more  prayerful.  I  fear  when  the  Shepherd 
is  taken  away  the  flock  will  be  scattered.  I 
have  spoiled  this  church  by  doing  so  much 
for  them  ;  no  other  man  will  be  found  who 
will  be  able  to  labor  so  much  as  I  have.  But 
all  I  can  do  is  to  pray  for  you.  I  leave  you 
in  the  hands  of  Christ.  Try  to  induce  the 
church  to  continue  in  prayer  to  God." 

Feb.  3.  (Saturday.)  His  health  con- 
tinued to  improve  and  he  was  able  to  sit  up 
some  hours  during  the  day. 

Feb.  4  ;  (Sabbath.)  He  expressed  a 
great  desire  to  preach.  "  O  nothing  can 
wean  me  from  my  people  ;  they  are  a  part 
of  myself."  Some  of  the  members  of  his 
church  called,  to  whom  he  said,  "  I  have  not 
20 


306  MEMOIR    OF 

been  permitted  to  attend  church  to-day,  but 
it  has  been  a  precious  season  to  my  soul. 
Christ  has  manifested  himself  to  me  in  an 
unusual  manner.  I  have  had  a  delightful 
season  in  prayer.  I  have  been  praying  for 
this  church,  and  I  believe  God  will  answer 
my  prayer.  Now,  brethren,  do  endeavor 
to  live  more  to  the  glory  of  God.  Chris- 
tians are  apt  to  be  too  worldly.  If  they 
loved  Jesus  Christ  as  much  as  their  farms, 
this  world  would  speedily  become  the  Para- 
dise of  God.  What  is  this  world  compared 
with  the  glory  of  Christ  ?  When  you  come 
to  stand  on  the  confines  of  eternity  the 
world  will  sink  into  its  proper  insignificance. 
O,  how  worthless  it  seems  to  me  1  I  have 
done  with  the  world  \  the  few  remaining  days 
of  my  life  I  shall  spend  in  communing  with 
heaven.  I  wish  I  could  make  Christians 
feel  the  importance  of  a  higher  standard  of 
holiness." 

To  one  regretting  that  his  health  had  not 
allowed  him  to  preach  that  day,  he  said, 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  307 

"  We  ought  to  be  thankful  that  we  can  en- 
joy the  Sabbath  if  we  can  have  no  preaching. 
We  can  read  the  Bible  and  there  is  preach- 
ing enough  if  we  will  only  attend  to  it. 
Christ  preaches  plain  doctrines.  I  have  of- 
ten thought  that  if  I  were  cast  upon  an  un- 
inhabited island  and  could  have  my  Bible, 
I  would  not  complain  ;  I  would  make  every 
day  a  Sabbath.  But  then  I  do  not  think  I 
should  be  quite  happy,  for  I  should  want 
every  body  to  praise  him." 

To  a  member  of  the  church  he  said  in 
the  evening,  "  Well,  brother,  how  have  you 
enjoyed  the  Sabbath  ?  I  thought  of  you  to- 
day and  desired  to  know  how  you  felt.  I 
want  you  to  be  faithful  in  the  cause  of 
Christ.  Tell  your  children  much  about  Je- 
sus that  they  may  love  him.  Parents  are 
too  apt  to  delay  making  religious  impressions 
upon  the  minds  of  their  children  until  they 
become  corrupted  with  sin.  They  think  them 
unable  to  love  Jesus  Christ  until  they  are 
almost  men  and  women.  This  is  a  irreat 


308  MEMOIR    OP 

mistake ;  little  children  can  very  early  be 
made  to  feel  that  they  are  sinners  and  need 
washing  in  the  blood  of  Christ.  They  are 
easily  affected  at  the  story  of  the  cross,  and 
they  will  love  the  Saviour  for  his  great  kind- 
ness. I  have  known  children  quite  young 
to  die  believing  on  Jesus,  giving  him 
glory.  "  O,"  said  a  child  five  years  old  to 
me,  "  I  love  Jesus  more  than  my  father  or 
mother  and  am  going  to  dwell  with  him  in  that 
happy  place  you  told  me  about."  And  to 
her  mother,  '  Do  not  weep  for  me,  for  I  shall 
soon  be  happy  with  Jesus  and  you  will  come 
soon,  for  I  have  heard  you  pray  to  him,  and 
I  know  he  will  bring  you  where  I  am  go- 
ing.' 

Now  Christians  ought  to  be  encouraged 
and  teach  their  children  to  read  the  Bible 
and  to  pray  over  it  and  when  they  die  they 
will  go  to  heaven.  You  should  tell  your  chil- 
dren about  little  Samuel  and  young  Timothy; 
teach  them  to  read  the  history  of  Joseph 
and,  above  all,  the  history  of  Jesus  Christ." 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  309 

Towards  evening  he  rose  and  dressed 
himself  being  very  comfortable  and  symp- 
toms quite  favorable. 

Feb.  5.  (Monday.)  Early  this  morning, 
Mr.  Hidden  was  seized  with  the  Typhus 
Fever  and  Hickups.  It  was  now  apparent 
to  all  that  this  would  be  his  last  sickness. 
He  had  become  much  debilitated  and  nature 
was  wearing  out. 

Feb.  6,  7.  He  continued  to  fail  physi- 
cally but  his  intellect  brightened  and  his 
spiritual  joys  increased  as  he  approached  the 
grave.  Being  asked  if  his  mind  enjoyed 
continued  peace,  "  Peace  !  yes  it  passeth  all 
understanding.  I  am  so  happy  that  if  my  joy 
increases  as  it  has  some  days  past  it  will  be 
insupportable.  The  view  of  the  'Celestial 
City'  which  I  continually  enjoy  is  delightful ! 
Delightful !  no  ;  that  will  not  half  express 
it.  It  is  indescribable ;  more  than  glori- 
ous !" 

To  his  wife  he  said,  "  You  can  have  no 
idea  of  my  joys.  If  I  am  to  be  happier  in 


310  MEMOIR    OF 

heaven  than  I  am  now,  my  capacity  for  en- 
joyment must  be  greatly  increased.  A  mo- 
ment like  this  is  worth  a  whole  life  of  suffer- 
ing. I  never  imagined  such  enjoyment." 

Feb.  8.  (Thursday.)  He  addressed  his 
wife  and  children  and  others  present  in  an 
affecting  manner.  To  his  second  son  he  said, 
"  George  !  George !  What  shall  I  say  ?  I 
must  now  leave  you  in  your  sins  !  The  thought 
almost  breaks  my  heart !  This  is  the  last 
time  I  shall  warn  you  of  your  danger.  You 
can  yet  be  saved  by  believing  on  Jesus 
Christ.  He  has  been  merciful  to  you  in  not 
cutting  you  off  in  your  rebellion  against  him. 
He  still  waits  to  be  gracious  ;  his  hand  is 
stretched  out  and  his  blood  is  ready  to  wash 
your  soul.  O  George  !  George  !  My  son, 
my  son  !  can  you  resist  such  love  ?  Can 
you  crucify  continually  that  Saviour  ?  Seek 
help  of  him  and  lead  a  new  life.  Your  soul 
is  precious.  Must  I  be  forever  separated 
from  you  !  God  forbid.  No  !  You  must 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  311 

believe  on  Jesus  Christ  and  be  saved.  I 
commend  you  to  him." 

To  some  members  of  his  church  he  said, 
"  I  can  say  to  you  as  did  Paul,  Behold, 
I  know  that  ye  all,  among  whom  I  have 
gone  preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  shall 
see  my  face  no  more.  Wherefore  I  take  you 
to  record  this  day,  that  I  am  pure  from  the 
blood  of  all  men.  For  I  have  not  shunned 
to  declare  unto  you  all  the  counsel  of  God. 
Therefore  watch,  and  remember  that  by  the 
space  of  forty-five  years  I  ceased  not  to 
warn  every  one  night  and  day  with  tears. 
And  now,  brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God, 
and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able 
to  build  you  up,  and  give  you  an  inheritance 
among  all  them  which  are  sanctified.  I  am 
willing  to  trust  you  in  the  hands  of  Jesus. 
Before  long  I  trust  to  meet  a  great  company 
of  you  in  the  church  triumphant." 

To  a  young  Christian  he  said  "  Now,  set 
your  standard  of  piety  high  ;  do  not  be  satis- 
fied with  living  like  most  Christians.  Be 


312  MEMOIR    OF 

more  humble  and  devoted.  A  humble 
Christian  is  the  loveliest  object  in  the  sight 
of  heaven.  Humility  so  becomes  us  that  I 
wonder  we  are  not  more  desirous  of  being 
clothed  with  it,  as  with  a  garment.  O  how 
hateful  a  proud  heart  must  be  in  the  sight 
of  heaven  !  What  has  the  Christian  to  be 
proud  of  but  the  death  of  Christ  ?  Nothing. 
He  may  boast  of  this,  but  he  should  bow 
down  in  the  dust  in  view  of  himself."  Be- 
ing asked  by  Mrs.  Hidden  if  he  was  in  pain, 
"  Pain  !  pain  !  What,  in  pain  when  going 
to  heaven  ?  going  where  Jesus  is  ?  I  know 
nothing  about  pain.  If  you  were  going  to 
visit  some  dear  friend  do  you  think  you 
could  feel  pain  ?  I  am  going  to  see  Jesus 
and  I  am  happy.  Yes  I  can  sing  of  grace. 
I  am  sustained  by  infinite  Power.  God's 
promises  are  sure.  They  never  fail.  It  is 
wonderful  that  a  being  so  sinful  and  un- 
worthy as  I  am  should  be  permitted  to  ex- 
perience such  happy  hours.  Christ  died  in 
unspeakable  anguish.  He  bowed  his  blessed 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  313 

head,  and  gave  up  the  ghost  on  the  cruel 
cross,  but  not  a  wave  of  trouble  rolls  across 
my  breast. 

'Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are ; 
While  on  his  breast  1  lean  my  head, 
And  breath  my  life  out  sweetly  there.' 

Yes,  I  lean  my  head  on  his  breast  and  all 
is  peace.  O,  it  is  a  blessed  thing  to  trust 
entirely  in  Christ  for  support.  I  have  no 
will  of  my  own  ;  his  will  is  mine,  and  I  yield 
submissive  and  find  he  is  present.  This 
promise  of  God  is  wonderfully  verified,  and 
O,  how  precious  it  is  to  my  soul !  '  Thy 
sun  shall  no  more  go  down,  neither  shall  thy 
moon  withdraw  itself ;  for  the  Lord  shall  be 
thine  everlasting  light,  and  the  days  of  thy 
mourning  shall  be  ended.'  The  days  of 
my  mourning  are  ended  and  my  sun  does 
not  decline.  Jesus  grants  me  light  en- 
ough." 

Feb.  9.    (Friday.)    Notwithstanding  the 


314  MEMOIR    OF 

certainty  that  he  must  soon  be  in  eternity, 
pleasantry  would  occasionally  exhibit  itself 
in  his  expressions. 

To  his  eldest  son's  wife  presenting  him 
some  gruel,  and  saying  she  wished  him  to 
take  it  for  it  was  very  good,  he  said,  "Well, 
I  will  say  of  your  gruel  as  Mr.  C  —  said  of 
my  preaching,  it  is  the  best  of  the  kind." 

An  aged  member  of  the  church  coming 
into  the  room,  he  said,  "  I  am  glad  to  see 
you,  brother  Mason.  To  look  upon  you 
seems  like  seeing  the  old  Apostle  Paul. 
Come,  brother,  pray  with  us." 

After  the  prayer  he  said,  "  Well,  we  have 
prayed  together  a  great  many  times,  and 
soon  we  will  praise  together.  Just  see  the 
wisdom  of  God  in  this ;  first  we  must  pray 
and  then  praise.  This  is  the  way  I  have 
found  it  through  my  whole  life ;  when  I 
have  been  in  trouble  and  doubt,  I  have  al- 
ways prayed  and  soon  all  was  joy.  We 
cannot  prize  the  privilege  of  prayer  half  high- 
ly enough.  If  we  knew  the  value  of  pray- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  315 

er,  we  should  pray  every  moment.  Chris- 
tians first  lose  their  love  for  Christ  and  then 
leave  off  praying,  so  that  when  you  find  a 
man  who  does  not  pray  you  will  find  a  man 
that  does  not  love.  You  never  knew  one  to 
abandon  the  throne  of  grace  until  Christ  was 
abandoned  from  his  heart.  When  you  have 
rudely  forced  your  best  friend  out  of  your 
house,  you  will  not  ask  a  favor  of  him  or  de- 
sire to  commune  with  him.  Just  so  the 
Christian  cannot  pray  to  Jesus  after  he  has 
thrust  him  from  his  heart,  nor  will  he  desire 
to  hold  communion  with  him.  I  wish  Chris- 
tians would  think  more  of  this.  They  do 
not  seem  to  realize  that  Christ  is  in  their 
souls  only  while  they  enjoy  a  spirit  of  pray- 
er. We  must  pray  if  we  would  enjoy.  You 
have  found  this  so  by  experience."  Being 
asked  if  he  desired  to  recover,  he  said,  I  have 
no  desire  about  it.  If  I  live,  blessed  be  God, 
and  if  I  die,  glory  to  God.  It  is  a  blessed 
thing  to  lose  our  will  and  let  Christ  do  as 
he  sees  best.  If  for  me  to  live  would  most 


316  MEMOIR    OF 

advance  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  I  wish 
to  live  ;  but  if  to  die  is  his  will,  then  it  is 
my  gain." 

He  felt  that  '  man  in  his  blindness,  may 
mark  out  the  destinies  of  his  fellow-man, 
but  it  is  the  Creator  alone  who  knows  what 
is  meet  for  the  creature  he  has  made.  He 
plants  the  lily  by  the  stream — the  rose  in 
the  valley — and  bay  on  the  hill-side  ;  there 
they  bloom  for  his  glory, 

"  Whose  breath  perfumes  them, 
And  whose  pencil  paints." 

He  felt  that  God  knew  infinitely  better 
what  was  for  his  glory  than  himself.  Said 
he,  "  as  God  wills  so  I  will.  He  does  all 
things  right."  Men  would  not  fear  to  die 
if  they  had  implicit  confidence  in  Christ.  I 
have  visited  Christians  just  like  Bunyan's 
"  Mr.  Despondency"  and  his  daughter 
"Much-afraid."  When  they  are  just  to  cross 
the  river  they  begin  to  take  courage  though 
they  have  been  troublesome  through  all  their 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  317 

pilgrimage.  Let  Christians  rely  on  Jesus 
and  they  will  have  no  despondency  all  their 
life  long,  and  will  be  fearless  of  death. 
Christians  should  live  so  as  to  be  ready  to 
go  whenever  they  are  summoned.  But  this 
they  can  never  do  so  long  as  they  have  a 
will  of  their  own.  O.  it  is  a  blessed  thing 
to  be  one  with  Christ  in  all  things." 

Feb.  10.  (Saturday.)  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing he  commenced  singing  the  songs  of  Zion 
in  which  he  had  always  delighted.  He  re- 
quested the  members  of  the  choir  belonging 
to  the  congregation  and  all  present  to  unite 
with  him  in  this  delightful  exercise.  He 
selected  and  sung  the  hymn  commencing, 

"  I'll  praise  my  Maker  with  my  breath  ;" 

also  the  hymn,  "  Lo !  he  comes !  with 
clouds  descending  ;'  and  some  of  the  most 
ravishing  Anthems,  and  Psalms  such  as 
"  Lift  up  your  stately  heads,  ye  doors !" 
"  Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  Lord  ;"  "  O 


318  MEMOIR    OF 

come  let  us  sing  unto  the  Lord  ;" — "  Lift 
up  your  heads,  eternal  gates." 

He  continued  through  almost  the  entire 
day  to  sing  in  angelic  strains,  notwithstand- 
ing the  weakness  of  his  body.  Prayers  were 
occasionally  offered  in  which  he  joined  with 
deep  interest." 

Feb.  11.  (Sabbath.)  His  Spiritual  joys 
continued  to  increase.  Mrs.  Hidden  saying 
to  him  that  she  was  afraid  it  would  injure 
him  to  sing  so  much,  he  replied,  "  I  proba- 
bly shall  not  be  tired  singing  when  I  get  to 
heaven,  and  why  should  I  not  sing  now  ? 
This  is  heaven  begun.  I  cannot  refrain 
singing.  I  am  a  Christian  ;  and  should  I 
not  praise  God?  I  am  redeemed  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus  ;  and  should  I  not  give  him 
glory  ?  I  am  an  heir  of  glory  ;  and  should  I 
not  shout  aloud  ?  I  am  going  to  heaven  and 
shall  1  not  rejoice  ?  I  shall  through  all  eter- 
nity sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb, 
saying,  '  Salvation  to  our  God  which  sitteth 
upon  the  throne  and  unto  the  Lamb,'  and 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  319 

shall  I  be  silent  now  ?  No  ;  while  I  have 
breath  I  will  sing.  I  know  my  Redeemer 
liveth  and  I  will  triumph  in  his  resurrection. 
If  I  am  going  to  the  abodes  of  the  blessed, 
ought  I  not  fo  become  familial  with  their 
employment  ?" 

He  requested  one  to  read  the  fifteenth 
chapter  of  the  first  of  Corinthians,  and  as  the 
tenth  verse  was  read,  "  Yes,"  interrupted 
he,  '•'  by  the  grace  of  God  1  am  what  I  am." 
He  seemed  filled  with  the  liveliest  emotions 
during  the  reading  of  the  whole  chapter,  but 
when  the  latter  paft  was  heard,  he  exclaim- 
ed, raising  his  hands  to  heaven',  "  Death  is 
swallowed  up  in  victofy  !  O  death,  where 
is  thy  sting  ?  O  grave  where  is  thy  victo- 
ry ?  Thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us 
the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
O,  sweet  consolation  !  Glorious  hope  ! 
Shout  it  angels.  Let  it  ring  through  all  the 
arches  of  heaven — "  Death  is  swallowed 
up  in  victory  !"  Come,  let  us  sing.  We 
must  not  be  silent.  This  place  is  almost 


320  MEMOIR   OF 

heaven."  He  desired  a  clergyman,  who 
was  about  to  offer  prayer,  to  read  the  twen- 
ty-third Psalm  ;  "The  Lord  is  my  shep- 
herd, I  shall  not  want,"  &c.;  also  the  nine- 
ty-first ;  "  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret 
place  of  the  Most  High,  shall  abide  under 
the  shadow  of  the  Almighty,  &c."  "  These 
are  sweet  portions  of  God's  words,"  he  re- 
marked ;  "  I  have  feasted  upon  them  many 
years." 

February  12.  (Monday.)  Being  asked 
how  heaven  now  appeared  to  him  he  re- 
plied, "  O  glorious  !  inexpressibly  glorious  ! 
I  am  almostlhere.  The  sight  is  almost  too 
dazzling  for  flesh  and  blood.  Jesus  Christ 
is  more  lovely  than  ever.  I  am  ravished 
with  the  view  !"  He  then  sung  with  a 
countenance  all  radiant  with  extatic  joy  the 
hymn  commencing, 

"  Vital  spark  of  heavenly  flame  ! 
Quit,  O  quit  this  mortal  frame  ! 

His  joy  seemed  complete.     No  language 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  321 

can  adequately  describe  the  scenes  of  this 
day.  His  soul  struggled  for  release  from 
clay,  to  expand  itself  and  mount  to  the  bo- 
som of  God.  To  one  saying  to  him  that 
his  joy  seemed  complete,  he  exclaimed, 
"  Complete  !  yes  it  is  more  than  full ;  it  runs 
over.  My  soul  has  not  room  enough  here. 
It  wants  to  fly.  It  seems  like  a  bird  entang- 
led in  the  snare  of  the  fowler.  It  will  be 
released  soon  ;  for  heaven  seems  open,  and 
I  catch  the  strains  of  angels.  They  are 
waiting  to  welcome  me  to  heaven.  O  glo- 
rious sight !  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly. 

'Haste  my  beloved,  fetch  my  soul 
Up  to  thy  bless'd  abode, 
Fly,  for  my  spirit  longs  to  see 
My  Saviour  and  my  God.' 

Ah,  I  see  him  !  He   comes  !  He  comes  ! 

This  vision  is  transporting.     It  is  dazzling. 

How  wonderful  it  is  that   one  so  unworthy 

should  enjoy  such  a  moment  as  this.     It  is 

21 


322  MEMOIR    OF 

because  Jesus  has  died  and  ascended  to 
heaven.  Come,  let  us  sing  with  our  last 
breath  his  love.  Sing,  brethren,  do  sing." 
Then  he  sung  with  lively  emotions, 

"Angels,  roll  the  rock  away  ! 

Death,  yield  up  thy  mighty  prey,"&c. 

To  a  clergyman  who  had  sung  with  him 
until  he  was  quite  exhausted,  he  said, 
"  Come,  are  you  tired  singing  ?  You  must 
sing."  He  desired  that  the  ninety-sixth 
Pslam,  "  O  sing  unto  the  Lord  a  new  song  ; 
sing  unto  the  Lord  all  the  earth,"  might  be 
read  ;  also  the  one  hundredth,  "  Make  a 
joyful  noise  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands ;" 
and  the  one  hundred  and  third,  "  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul ;  and  all  that  is  within  me, 
bless  his  holy  name." 

After  a  short  sleep  he  awoke  exclaiming, 
"  Victory  !  Glory  !  He  comes !  He  comes!" 
He  then  commenced  singing.  Just  before 
his  death  he  said  to  his  eldest  son,  "  Just 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  323 

draw  back  the  veil,  and  I  am  there,"  and 
while  the  words, 

"  Angels,  roll  the  rock  away, 
Death  yield  up  thj  mighty  prey," 

escaped  his  lips,  the  spirit  took  its  triumph- 
ant flight  to  heaven,  February  13,  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning. 

"  So  farewell, 

Leader  in  Israel ! — thou  whose  radiant  path 
Was  like  the  angel's  standing  in  the  sun, 
Undazzled  and  unswerving — it  was  meet 
That  thou  shouldst  rise  to  light  without  a  cloud." 

On  the  following  Wednesday,  the  funeral 
services  were  attended  by  a  large  concourse 
of  people.  Rev.  Mr.  Dodge  of  Moultonbo- 
rough  preached  on  the  occasion.  His  body 
was  interred  in  the  burying  ground  near  the 
Meeting-house,  amidst  the  great  congrega- 
tion of  the  dead,  whom  he  had  seen  there 
consigned. 

A  monument  was  erected,  partly  by  the 


324  MEMOIR    OF 

Church  and  partly  by  his  eldest  son,  consis- 
ting of  a  slab  of  white  marble,  mounted  up- 
on six  granite  pillars,  bearing  the  following 
inscription  : 

"  Rev.  Samuel  Hidden,  died  Feb.  13, 
1837,  aged  77  years,  and  in  the  46  year  of 
his  ministry.  He  was  born  at  Rowley, 
Mass.  Feb.  22,  1760.  Graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth College  in  August,  and  licensed  to 
preach  in  Oct.  1791.  Ordained  upon  a  rock, 
Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Tamworth,  to  which  were  added  during  his 
ministry  503.  As  a  Christian,  he  was  meek 
and  humble,  active,  faithful,  and  devoted, 
with  a  heart  and  hand  of  expansive  benevo- 
lence and  hospitality.  He  was  a  pattern  of 
literature,  the  friend  and  instructor  of  youth, 
and  through  life  a  distinguished  lover  of 
sacred  music.  In  preaching  the  gospel  his 
promptness,  zeal,  plainness,  happy  illustra- 
tions, and  meltings  of  his  heart  for  immortal 
souls  rendered  him  beloved  and  respected  by 
all.  His  long  day  was  literally  and  cheer- 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  325 

fully  spent  in  the  service  of  his  Lord  and 
Master,  and  the  hope  of  being  soon  with  his 
Saviour  God,  inspired  his  triumphant  excla- 
mation in  death,  "  Just  draw  back  the  veil, 
and  I  am  there,"  and  tuned  his  enchanting 
lyre  for  his  last  song, 

"  Angels,  roll  the  rock  away, 
Death  yield  up  thy  mighty  prey." 

Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in 
the  first  resurrection." 


326  MEMOIR   OF 


APPENDIX. 

The  letters  from  which  the  following  ex- 
tracts have  been  taken,  owing  to  circum- 
stances over  which  Rev.  Mr.  Price,  to  whom 
they  were  addressed,  had  no  control,  were 
not  received  until  most  of  the  preceding 
pages  went  to  press.  For  that  reason  they 
are  here  inserted.  Mr.  Hidden  married  a 
sister  of  Mr.  Price. 

In  answer  to  Mr.  Price's  letter  informing 
him  of  his  call  to  settle  in  the  ministry  at 
Belfast,  Me.,  he  writes, 

"TAMWORTH,  OCT.  29,  1796. 

"As  to  your  settling  with  the  people  at 

Belfast,  I  have  not  a  word  to  say,  either  pro 

or  con,  only  that  where  you  may  be  most 

useful,  there  I  hope  you  may  be  settled  by 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  327 

divine  Providence.  God's  word  and  spirit, 
together  with  your  own  conscience,  will  af- 
ford direction  in  so  important  affair. 

We  have  had  some  sweet  and  delightful 
meetings  of  late  in  our  neighborhood.  These 
are  refreshing  to  drooping  souls.  I  rejoice 
to  hear  of  God's  work  at  the  east.  May  it 
go  to  the  west,  south  and  north,  even  to  the 
utmost  bounds  of  the  earth." 

"  APRIL  11,  1797. 

Dear  Brother, — I  received  your  epistle 
with  joy.  We  were  glad  to  hear  of  your 
return  to  your  people  with  safety.  How 
rich  are  the  bounties  of  Providence  !  Let 
us  praise  his  name  and  rejoice  together.  I 
hope  he  will  carry  us  through  all  our  trials 
and  present  us  before  his  throne  without  spot 
and  blameless. 

You  desired  me  to  inform  you  how  it  was 
with  Capt.  G.  in  his  last  hours.  There  was 
no  alteration  in  his  mind  after  you  saw  him. 


328  MEMOIR    OF 

He  was  forty-eight  hours  in  the  agonies  of 
death. 

His  quiv'ring  lips  hang  feebly  down, 
His  pulses  faint  and  few  ; 
Then  speechless,  with  a  doleful  groan, 
He  bade  the  world  adieu. 

May  his  last  agonies  never  be  effaced 
from  my  memory.  I  have  lost  a  valuable 
friend  and  the  town  a  worthy  citizen.  How 
uncertain  are  all  sublunary  joys  !  May  we 
who  preach  then  so,  realize  these  things  so 
as  to  meet  our  people  at  God's  awful  tribu- 
nal with  an  approving  conscience  and  the 
smiles  of  our  Judge." 

"MAY  6,  1797. 

I  have  just  finished  my  sermons  and  now 
steal  this  moment  to  write  you,  my  brother. 
Saturdays  and  Sabbaths  are  the  happiest 
days  I  enjoy.  A  great  dignity  is  put  on  us 
to  speak  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah 
to  those  who  are  candidates  for  eternity. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  329 

May  the  Lord  make  us  wise  as  serpents  and 
harmless  as  doves.  We  need  the  patience 
of  Job,  the  wisdom  of  Solomon,  the  piety  of 
David  and  the  humility  of  Paul  rightly  to 
discharge  our  calling.  But  God  is  able  to 
help  us  and  the  cause  is  his  own." 

"  SEPT.  2,  1797. 

May  God  grant  us  grace  to  stand  in  this 
evil  day.  It  is  a  time  of  great  declension 
here.  The  call  is  loud  for  the  ministers  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  to  be  faithful  in  giving  warn- 
ing, in  order  to  free  themselves  from  blood- 
guiltiness.  To-morrow  our  Sacrament  will 
be  administered,  and  I  hope  we  shall  feel 
the  influence  of  your  prayers.  Night  before 
last  we  had  a  heavenly  interview  at  Dea, 
Eastman's.  I  remember  but  one  more 
delightful  in  all  my  life.  What  match- 
less condescension  to  vouchsafe  to  visit  such 
worthless  creatures !  How  precious  are 
such  foretastes  of  the  joys  above.  What 
would  saints,  and  ministers  especially,  do 


330  MEMOIR    OF 

without  them.  May  God  ever  grant  such 
seasons  whenever  we  begin  to  feel  faint  and 
our  spirits  droop." 

Written  after  great  afflictions. 

"  MARCH  20,  1798. 

God  has  supported  me  through  a  fatiguing 
winter,  pregnant  with  trials  in  my  own  fami- 
ly and  with  those  incident  to  the  ministry. 
He  has  also  kept  me  from  sinking  under  the 
weight  of  my  own  corruptions.  Join  with 
me,  my  dear  brother,  in  praising  his  holy 
name. 

You  and  I  are  engaged  in  the  same  great 
cause  which  requires  the  utmost  exertion  of 
every  power  and  faculty  of  our  being  as  well 
as  the  powerful  energies  of  divine  grace. 
The  farther  we  progress  in  this  our  calling, 
I  imagine,  we  shall  see  more  of  the  depravi- 
ty of  the  human  heart,  the  stratagems  of 
Satan,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  an  en- 
tire dependance  on  the  aid  of  God's  grace. 


SAMUEL    HIDDEN.  331 

Our  business  is  a  self-denying  employment ; 
but  this  we  find  true,  viz :  that  the  most  self- 
denying  duties,  when  rightly  performed,  af- 
ford the  most  exquisite  pleasure.  Hence 
the  greatest  encouragement  to  persevere  and 
keep  constantly  in  view  Him  who  endured 
such  contradiction  of  sinners  against  himself 
lest  we  be  faint  in  our  minds.  Let  us  see 
that  we  have  those  qualifications  which  give 
a  title  to  that  promise,  c  Lo,  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world  !'  This 
will  support  us  in  the  darkest  hour  and  though 
Israel  be  not  gathered,  yet  shall  we  be  glo- 
rious in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  Let  us  then 
be  faithful  and  endure  hardness  as  good  sol- 
diers, and  fight  the  good  fight  and  keep  the 
faith,  for  our  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
May  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  endow 
you  with  every  ministerial  gift  and  cause 
you  to  shine  with  peculiar  lustre  in  the  can- 
dlestick where  you  are  placed  and  crown 
your  labors  with  great  success." 


332        MEMOIR  OF  SAMUEL  HIDDEN. 

"TAMWORTH,  APRIL  19,  1800. 

God  has  wrought  wonders  among  us  in 
the  course  of  the  past  winter.  We  have  had 
the  greatest  number  of  conversions  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  and  the 
work  has  been  the  most  rapid  and  regular  of 
any  I  ever  experienced.  We  have  received 
into  the  church,  with  those  who  are  now 
candidates,  one  hundred  since  last  January. 
There  are  many  more  who,  I  hope,  have  re- 
ceived grace.  You  see  what  blessings  we 
have  received  and  how  great  are  our  obliga-' 
lions  to  God.  You  can  easily  imagine  our 
situation  and  will  devoutly  pray  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  Spirit  to  perfect  what  he  has 
begun  here.  I  am,  myself  almost  astonished 
at  the  display  of  divine  grace.  Blessed  be 
God  for  the  Sheep  and  Lambs  he  has  brought 
into  his  fold.  All  things  are  in  his  hands. 
He  will  keep  what  belongs  to  him  by  his 
mighty  power  through  faith  unto  salva- 
tion." 


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